Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA
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Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
For up-to-date weekly news, visit our blog.
October 18, 2011: The death toll in Guatemala continues to rise, with Reuters reporting 35 people killed as a result of heavy rains and flooding. According to authorities, the storms have affected 500,000 people nationwide, 35,000 of which have been forced to abandon their homes. An official report from the Conred emergency management agency reports that mudslides and floods have caused severe damage to 52% of the country’s road system, forcing authorities to close many highways until they can be cleared. Also, “a preliminary report by the Agriculture Ministry said that the losses to crops so far are valued at some 73 million quetzales ($9.2 million).” [Reuters]
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October 17, 2011: Guatemalan government declares 'state of emergency.' The Guatemalan government decided to instate a 'state of emergency' throughout the entire country following the discovering of a case of the H1N1 influenza virus in an 11-year-old girl. The decree may resullt in limitations on public transportation, the establishment of quarantine centers and the centralization of public services.
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August 30, 2011: Unethical US-funded syphilis research caused 83 deaths in Guatemala. In US-funded research program in the 1940's designed to study the effects of penicillin, researchers infected hundreds of Guatemalan prisoners, psychiatric patients and sex workers with syphillis and gonorrhea, none of whom were informed of the procedures. [Read more]
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August 18, 2011: Ambassador Stephen McFarland says farewell to Guatemala. McFarland will be leaving his current post to continue his work in Afghanistan. Since he began work in Guatemala 11 years ago, he has observed the country's increase in violence, homicide, and rapes. However, he has also seen improvements such as increased political participation of women and youth. He will be replaced by Arnold Chacon at the end of the month. [Prensa Libre]
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August 1, 2011: Third suspect detained for Cabral murder. Juan Hernández Sánchez was detained in Escuintla for the murder of Facundo Cabral. There are still two pending arrests. [ElPeriodico]
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July 11, 2011: Argentine resistance singer, Facundo Cabral, killed in Guatemala. The Argentine singer Facundo Cabral, famous for his socially conscious lyrics and his protest against military dictatorships throughout Latin America, was shot in Guatemala City while on tour. The 74 year-old singer and song-writer was a popular artist throughout the region. He was a leading figure in peaceful resistance movements, inspiring many people in Guatemala and across Latin America to speak out against violence and social injustice. [New York Times], [Prensa Libre]
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June 10, 2011: Guatemala has the highest rates of child labor in Central America. The International Labour Organization found Guatemala to have the highest rates of child labor in Central America. An estimated 1 million children work, 12 thousand between the ages of five and seven; 56% are indigenous. [Siglo XXI] [More from the ILO]
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June 9, 2011: Obama nominates Ambassador to Guatemala. Obama nominated Arnold Chacon as the new ambassador to Guatemala. He has thirty years of experience in the foreign service with positions in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Honduras, and is currently stationed in Spain. [ElPeriodico]
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January 25, 2011: Authorities warn of devastation due to draught this year. Environmental Authorities estimate that 100,000 low-income families could suffer from lack of Access to food due to posible droughts this year. These families are located in the Dry Corridor in western Guatemala. Miguel Leiva, Deputy Minister for Environment and Natural Resources cited the change in soil use and deforestation and the principal causes of the loss of fertile soil and the scarcity of food. Thirty years ago, some areas would produce approximately 800-1,000 pounds of grains per acre. Today, they only produce two or three hundred pounds. [Prensa Libre]
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