Journalist documents displaced indigenous communities in Guatemala amid violent land disputes

That night, as the wind lashed through fragile shelters, I thought of those children. I pictured the 16-year-old reading stories to her siblings, crafting a world where learning was possible. But reality hit hard: they faced a future repeating their parents’ history of dispossession, poverty, and invisibility. The most painful truth is the indifference that allowed an entire generation to grow up voiceless and without options.


Mariela Laksman
18 hours ago

December 14, 2024



Alta and Baja Verapaz are regions in Guatemala, where indigenous and peasant communities face significant legal insecurity regarding land ownership, leading to a high concentration of violent evictions. | Photo courtesy of Neida Solís


BAJA VERAPAZ, Guatemala — As a community radio narrator in Guatemala, I dedicated myself to uncovering the harsh realities of the agrarian conflict. One photograph stands out vividly in my memory—a displaced family in a barren landscape. It drove me to act, ensuring their voices would not be silenced.

Each broadcast became a platform to amplify stories of human rights abuses and indigenous resistance. I highlighted evictions, the persecution of peasant leaders, and the voices of families torn from their land and left with nothing. Their struggles resonated deeply, shaping my mission to bring their stories to light.



Community radio: narrating stories of human rights and indigenous resistance

I grew up in a modest home, surrounded by stories echoing the mountains and fields. In the city, my grandparents recounted their youth in rural communities, describing the land they worked yet never owned. Their voices carried both longing and sorrow, captivating me and planting questions I could not articulate.

My mother, a schoolteacher, filled our afternoons with books about history and human rights. Her stories brought revolutions and acts of resistance to life, painting vivid pictures of people fighting injustice. Those moments, surrounded by worn books and her steady voice, stirred my curiosity about power, inequality, and the intrinsic value of every person. She taught me that stories could change perspectives, instilling in me a lifelong desire to understand why some lives seemed to matter more than others.

This foundation led me to community radio, where I narrated stories of human rights and indigenous resistance. Initially, I focused on preserving culture, protecting traditions, and advocating for rights like education and health. However, I quickly discovered a deeper truth: land lay at the heart of every issue. The lack of land, the fight to defend it, and the constant fear of eviction united these struggles, shaping the fabric of rural life.

While mainstream media vilified these communities as usurpers, I found dignity in their voices and resilience in their stories. Their strength left a lasting impression, deepening my commitment to an issue that defines not only rural life but also Guatemala’s social fabric. Listening to their struggles inspired me to act, turning my curiosity into a mission to amplify their voices and advocate for justice.

More:
https://orato.world/2024/12/14/journalist-documents-displaced-indigenous-communities-in-guatemala-amid-violent-land-disputes/