On Tuesday, May 26, 2015, Cultural Survival delivered a radio console and microphone to Radio Snuq Jolom Konob in Santa Eulalia, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. A generous grant from the Swift Foundation allowed Cultural Survival to donate this equipment to the station. Radio Snuq Jolom Konob was shut down on January 19, 2015, by the mayor of Santa Eulalia and his supporters for publicizing protests against hydroelectric companies operating in the region. The station’s premises have remained shut since and all the volunteers have faced threats to keep them from attempting to re-open the radio cabin. Despite these risks, on March 19, 2015, radio volunteers, with the support of various organizations, marched the streets of Santa Eulalia demanding that the mayor unlock the doors to the radio. The event ended in chaos and protests as the mayor and his supporters attacked various journalists and the radio cabin remains shut down.
Radio Snuq Jolom Konob launched their online radio in late March, broadcasting only online since their cabin was still locked down. Lorenzo Mateo, radio volunteer and representative, has been actively seeking help from other organizations to support their efforts in returning the radio to the community. There is a warrant for his arrest and his family has received continuous threats from the mayor and a small group of his supporters. “Most of us volunteers are taking precautions when we travel and work. I know they can arrest me anytime but they can never silence me,” said Mateo.
Upon meeting Cultural Survival staff in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, to receive the equipment, Mateo expressed his sincere gratitude for the continued support for Radio Snuq Jolom Konob. “We are grateful that organizations like Cultural Survival encourage us and are attentive to our well-being as well as that of the community of Santa Eulalia,” said Mateo. “We have launched our radio online and our community at home and abroad continually send us their support via social media. We continue to hope that our radio will return someday.”
Radio Snuq Jolom Konob is still only broadcasting online but will continue to seek legal action against the mayor of Santa Eulalia for violating its freedom of expression. Cultural Survival values the important work Radio Snuq Jolom Konob does for its community and will continue to support its efforts to secure its freedom of expression.
