PBI-Guatemala accompanies the Peaceful Resistance of the Poqomán People in Chinautla in struggle against sand mines

Published by Brent Patterson on October 22, 2024October 22, 2024

PBI-Guatemala has posted:

“On Tuesday [October 15], #PBIacompanies the women at the #Chinautla Poqomam Village Peaceful Resistance.

At their meeting, they updated us about their upcoming activities and expressed their concerns regarding the safety situation of the community and defenders. They also shared with us their struggle for the recovery and recognition of communal lands, and the various problems they face.

The resistance continues to be organized against sand mines operating without a license in the territory, as well as underground garbage dumps and river pollution.”

Since 1989, the Peaceful Resistance of the Poqomán People in Chinautla (in Spanish – la Resistencia pacífica del pueblo Poqomam en Chinautla) have been defending their right to be consulted on the activities of various clay extraction companies operating in their territory (Arenera La Primavera, Arenera El Pino, Piedrinera San Luis and San Fernando Arenera). They are also defending their territory against the pollution caused by other businesses operating in the region.

PBI-Canada visited Chinautla in May 2023.

In April 2024, the 16-year-old son of Maya-Poqomam leader opposed to sand extraction in Chinautla, Guatemala killed by gunmen.

PBI-Guatemala received a request for accompaniment from the Peaceful Resistance of the Poqomán People in Chinautla, as they have been subject to attacks and criminalization. PBI-Guatemala began accompanying them in December 2018.