Guatemala: Indigenous Kaqchikel Protest Against Cement Plant Attacked by Paramilitaries
Twelve communities of San Juan Sacatepequez installed a blockade to prevent the construction of a regional ring road and stop a cement plant. A group of armed people wearing balaclavas attacked and threatened the indigenous Kaqchikel community in Santa Fe Ocaña in San Juan Sacatepequez...The attack is believed to be related to the construction of a cement plant in their territory, which the community opposes. About 70 people reportedly opened indiscriminate fire on the peaceful blockade…, injuring 17 persons including women and men. The attack is believed to have been carried out because the blockade prevented five construction trucks of Cementos Progreso from reaching their destination... While some are in favor of the developments, arguing it would bring economic growth to the region, others have questioned the environmental impact. Local authorities said…the attackers were allegedly identified as part of the Cruz Blanca village, which has close relations with the cement company, according to Waqinb' Kej, a Mayan national coordinator of indigenous struggles…In a visit on June 22, the Human Rights Prosecutor Jordan Rodas and the UN Human Rights High Commissioner verified Cementos Progreso's aggressive stance against the local communities and called for an end to violence in the area…