PBI-Guatemala accompanies the Peaceful Resistance of La Puya and their ongoing struggle against extractivism

On September 3, PBI-Guatemala posted: “PBI accompanies the Peaceful Resistance of La Puya at their monthly mass. The Resistance is currently beginning the pre-consultation process to decide the future of mining extractivism in the region.” On Sunday May 7, PBI-Canada and PBI-Guatemala visited with the Peaceful Resistance of La Puya Read more…

PBI-Canada conversation with Maya Q’eqchi’ frontline journalist Carlos Ernesto Choc

On August 18, Maya Q’eqchi’ journalist Carlos Ernesto Choc spoke with PBI-Canada coordinator Brent Patterson about the criminalization he is experiencing, his commitment to frontline journalism, and the current political situation in Guatemala. Ninety-nine people from around the world registered for this webinar, with viewers in the United States, the Read more…

Will $200 million for expansion of Rogers Sugar plant in Montreal have implications on the right to water in Guatemala?

Photo by Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press. The Canadian Press reports: “Rogers Sugar Inc. has announced plans to spend $200 million to grow its production capacity at its plant in Montreal to help meet increased demand in Eastern Canada. The company said Monday [August 14] the plan will increase production capacity Read more…

Former PBI-Guatemala field volunteer testifies at trial on the arbitrary detention by police of journalist Norma Sancir at Indigenous protest

Photo: Katharina Ochsendorf testified via videoconference from the Guatemalan consulate in Germany. Photo by Prensa Comunitaria/ Simón Antonio. Norma Sancir is a Maya Kaqchikel journalist, social communicator and human rights defender of the Ch’orti ’people in Chiquimula, Guatemala. She was arrested on September 18, 2014, by the National Civil Police Read more…

Maya Q’eqchi’ journalist Carlos Choc to appear in court on August 21 for his reporting on the Fenix mine in Guatemala

Join us on Friday August 18 for a conversation with criminalized journalist Carlos Choc. Register here. This report published on June 22, 2023, by Article 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other organizations notes: “Carlos Choc has had two arrest warrants against him and is currently under substitute Read more…

Guatemalan appeals court orders release of military officers convicted of crimes against humanity in the Molina Theissen case

PBI-Guatemala photo (April 18, 2016): “We observe the press conference convened by the Molina Theissen family seeking justice for the forced disappearance of Marco Antonio Molina Theissen and the illegal detention, torture and rape suffered by his sister Emma at the hands of the Guatemalan army.” The Associated Press reports: Read more…

PBI-Guatemala accompanies criminalized CCR water defenders as they receive a complete acquittal at court hearing

On May 30, PBI-Guatemala posted on their Facebook page: “PBI accompanies the 4 people criminalized from the Council of Communities of Retalhuleu for defending the right to water. Today a sentence of complete acquittal was issued for the 4 defenders in the absence of elements that can first establish a Read more…

Peaceful Resistance of La Puya expects ICSID ruling in June as consultation process on El Tambor mine set to start this summer

On Sunday May 7, PBI-Canada and PBI-Guatemala visited with the Peaceful Resistance of La Puya at a roadside site that it has maintained for more than ten years at the entrance to the “El Tambor” Progreso VII Derivada gold mine. During our visit to the site a short drive outside Read more…