“The power to defend our territory:” indigenous communities win consulation law in Guatemala”, 18 Nov 2015

On September 10, the Guatemalan Constitutional court ordered the suspension of licenses for the construction of the Vega I and Vega II hydroelectric projects in the Ixil territory. The court made the order following the failure of the company to consult the indigenous communities prior to the issuing of permits for the project owned by the Spanish firm Hidroxil…The two hydro projects were initially approved in 2011…[C]ompanies and the state have generally failed to follow through on their obligation to consult communities, in good faith, prior to beginning any operations or projects in their territories…This has led to the stoppage of many controversial projects…