Guatemala: Mayan Q'eqchi' community defender was facing legal charges by Industria Chiquibul S.A. when he was murdered
On 17 October, Francisco Pop Ico, a Mayan Q'eqchi' community defender from Santa Elena, in the department of Petén, was murdered. Chiquibul Industries had initiated legal proceedings against Pop and four other former workers, accusing them of usurpation and threats. Just one day before a hearing related to the case, the defender was murdered. Previously, the inhabitants of Santa Elena had denounced abuses of their rights by the company to the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office (PDH). We invited Industrias Chiquibul S.A. to respond to the allegations. The company's response is available.