Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA
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Army to Re-open Brigade in Ixcán
With the military receiving an additional Q25 million in funding, it announced that the Sixth Military Brigade will begin to operate in Ixcán, Quiché, on June 30. Ixcán was one of the worst hit areas during the war.
The Ministry of Defense will use this additional funding to invest in the restructuring of the military unit, which was disbanded after the signing of the Peace Accords in 1996.
Two months ago, the Legislature approved a transfer of Q150 million so that the Ministry would have the funds to provide public safety.
The amount awarded, for the moment, is Q25 million. The Department of Information and Dissemination of the Military (DIDE) explained that the brigade would be made up of 600 to 1,000 soldiers.
The former headquarters of Military Zone number 22 will be readjusted to house staff.
The new brigade will help security operatives in the Franja Transversal del Norte (Northern Border Strip) and other sites, aiming to combat drug trafficking, organized crime, and occupations and invasions in the Maya Biosphere.
The DIDE explained that with the army unit, it aims to recover areas taken by organized crime operating from Izabal to the border with Mexico.
The military is planning to open another brigade in San Marcos in 2010, which could cost another Q25 million.
Defense recruits a thousand troops for the Quiché Brigade
CDHG Weekly Report
June 4, 2009 - The military has issued a notice to recruit a thousand troops to serve in the Infantry Brigade of Playa Grande, Quiché, which will reopen next month. “This week we will launch the call for citizens that are able to give voluntary military service out of commitment for their homeland,” said Abraham Valenzuela, Minister of Defense. Valenzuela said that they have already received Q20 million, the first disbursement of the Q150 million approved by Congress to modernize and professionalize the Armed Forces.
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