Guatemala's Coordinadora Nacional Indigena y Campesina reports that on January 10, 2011 police in the department of Alta Verapaz have attacked the Q’eqchi’ Mayan village of Se’ Job’ Che’, destroying their crops and animals and firing on the people. The police in this area, which borders Mexico, have been given broad powers to fight Mexican drug dealers who have crossed the border into Guatemala, but the village in question has no connection to the drug trade. A state of siege has been declared in the area.
The community of Saquimo Setano in Alta Verapaz has also faced numerous attacks from wealthy landowners who are suspected of attempting to steal the community’s land. Between August 31 and September 2, 2010, the landowners led attacks against the community during which houses were burned down, death threats were made to terrorize families. The government has refused to arrest the perpetrators for the attacks, and has instead moved forward with fraudulent charges against community leaders.
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Source: Guatemala Solidarity Project
Coordinadora Nacional Indigena y Campesina
