On June 18, PBI-Guatemala posted:
“Today #PBI accompanied the Maya Ch’orti’ Indigenous Council of Olopa at a hearing against the owner of the company Cafe La Conquista S. A. for water pollution and forest damage.
The hearing consisted of reading the documents offered as a preliminary trial. The beginning of the conclusion stage will be on July 2 and will begin with the presentation of the Prosecutor’s Office.”
In July 2024, PBI-Guatemala explained:
“Coffee production, specifically the discharge of polluting wastewater from the coffee cleaning process into the River Grande, and artificial wells is affecting the lives of more than 10 communities and their water sources. The inhabitants, some 150 families, report foul odors, dead fish and skin diseases.
For the past five years, these communities have been unable to use the water sources for fishing, washing or drinking water.
In order to defend their right to water, the communities filed a complaint against Ovidio Cardona and his company Café La Conquista in 2022.”
Accompaniment
Peace Brigades International began accompanying the Maya Ch’orti’ Indigenous Council of Olopa in June 2021, following their request, which is based on the serious increase in security incidents, defamation and criminalization processes they are experiencing.
Further reading
PBI-Guatemala accompanies the Maya Ch’orti’ Indigenous Council of Olopa at court hearing versus coffee company (June 13, 2025)
PBI-Guatemala accompanies the Maya Ch’orti’ Indigenous Council of Olopa as it files complaint against coffee company (April 22, 2025)
