ORPA guerrilla trial begins in Guatemala

Former ORPA guerrilla Fermín Solano Barillas goes on trial for the 1988 massacre of twenty-two indigenous in Chimaltenango. Don't let them fool you into believing that Claudia Paz y Paz is only going after military officials who committed human rights violations. They are still lying. (See here from September.)

Carlos Mendoza gave an interview for Gerencia about violence in Guatemala.

National Geographic has The Fine Tapestry of the Kaqchikel Women of Guatemala.

When the Kaqchikel women in the province of Sacatepéquez, Guatemala, weave, they instill pride and evoke their rich cultural heritage. Weaving also rescues an important tradition that vindicates indigenous women and provides them an avenue to realize their ideas, feelings, thoughts and dreams through the development of designs and color combinations. Weaving leaves a legacy for future generations. When young Kaqchikel men and women wear these garments, they realize that they are part of a rare cultural tapestry and that it is their task to nourish this ancient craft.

NISGUA has Guatemala commemorates victims and 15 yr anniversary of truth commission.

This year, Guatemalan human rights defenders and social organizations partnered with musicians, poets and artists for a multi-generational, interactive day of activities to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of "Memory of Silence" and commemorate victims of the internal armed conflict. This year's events were particularly special, reflecting on the genocide trial and its historic sentence, that continues to validate genocide survivors' decades-long struggle seeking truth and justice for crimes of the past.

And yesterday I included a few links as well in What is going on in Guatemala? While I questioned whether the current government of Guatemala is an ally of the US, Dana Frank had just finished writing a piece arguing how Honduras isn't an ally either.