This is a brief interview with Carlos Chen giving a little bit of background on the issues surrounding the case of the Chixoy Dam in Guatemala. You can find more information about the latest situation from International Rivers an NGO campaigning on these issues.

You can find out more information about the Chixoy Dam controversy here.

Adam Curtis' latest (March 2007) documentary series The Trap explores the modern idea of freedom. It's interesting because he uses the example of US foreign policy in Nicaragua to show how a limited conception of freedom (as freedom from constraint) leads to the perverse belief that people can and should be forced to be free. This from Wikipedia:


You can see the full programme here. Look out for contributions from Elliot Abrams, assistant US secretary of state 1981-1989 and Robert Parry, Associated Press reporter in Nicaragua in the 1980s.

I came across this really interesting and moving interview with Emilio Tojin Lopez of the Association for Justice and Reconciliation (AJR). He's translated by Chris Benoit from NISGUA. This interview was produced by Talking Stick TV. Emilio Tojin Lopez talks about his experiences during the civil war in Guatemala and as a member of the community of Santa Maria Tzeja.



You can see in this video from about 8 years ago some more of the context to what Emilio Tojin was explaining. It shows the work and human cost of exhumations, part of the process of bringing those responsible to justice. This video was recently uploaded by CinimatecaOnline.

We just received this from French filmmaker Gregory Lasalle in Guatemala about video reports about the local referendum on proposed mining developments in the community of San Sebastian in Guatemala.

Pueblo Viejo


Tzabal


Casco Urbano


Chequequix


Tuizquizal 1 y 2


Meanwhile Canadian mining company Goldcorp has just seen it's profits soar:

US based Democracy Now! ran the following reaction to recent elections:

First reactions from the new President elect in Guatemala.