About Guatemala
Facts
Guatemala, in the heart of the world of the Mayan people, has to look back on a tragic history. Haunted by conquerors, earthquakes, death squadrons and hurricanes, this country has sought for peace and justice for centuries. For over 40 years Guatemala was ruled by military governments (US supported), which suppressed, with force the rural population. In its 1999 report, the 'Historical Clarification Commission' of the UN describes the repressions as unimaginable. In 1981 and 1982 alone, over 400 massacres were committed by the army, hundreds of Mayan communities destroyed and over 100,000 people were killed or disappeared.
Altogether the most repressive country of the hemisphere has “slaughtered” over 200,000 of its inhabitants (1960 - 1996).
"…….before, in our ancestors communities, there existed a social balance, but that ended with the (US orchestrated) invasion and the war that so deeply effected us".
