PBI-Guatemala accompanies screenings of the documentary ‘The Blood of the Earth’ in communities in the municipality of Cahabón

On May 9, PBI-Guatemala posted:

“Last week we made a tour of the communities Rumpoc, Chajbelén, Las Tres Cruces, Setzacpec, Gualibaj, Sepoc, Sepos, La Cresta, Sesaltul and San Cristobal Sactá in the municipality of Cahabón to show the documentary La Sangre de la Tierra/The Blood of the Earth (2020, Director: Felix Zurita). About 2,000 people saw the stories of resistance to hydroelectric projects in Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.”

La Sangre de la Tierra, a documentary made by Peace Brigades International and Asociación Entrepueblos, tells the story of community resistance to hydroelectric dams.

Specifically, opposition to the Puebla 1 dam in Mexico, Los Planes in Honduras, and the Renace and Oxec dams in Guatemala.

PBI-Guatemala accompanies both the Peaceful Resistance Cahabón and Nuevo Dia which are opposed to these dams.

Numerous concerns have been raised, including their impacts on the river, tributaries and ecosystems, their lack of free, prior and informed consent, and the criminalization of human rights defenders who have opposed them.

That includes Q’eqchi’ river defender Bernardo Caal Xol who was finally released from prison on March 24 after 1,520 days for his peaceful resistance to the dams.

The trailer for the documentary can be seen here. You can also read more about the film on the Fundacion Luciernaga website.