December 14, 2004
Guatemala Update #2
Roughly 2000 campesinos from all over the country marched through the streets of Guatemala City ending up in front of the National Palace with a message to the government. Marchers chanted "we want land reform now" and "sin justicia no hay paz" - "without justice,there is no peace."
The march was organized by several campesino and labor groups, particularly CUC (Committee for Campesino Unity) and CONIÇ (National Indigenous and Campesino Coordination). Several speakers condemned the neoliberal policies of the Berger government (President of Guatemala). Juan Tuyuc of CONIC said "We have enough written agreements from the government, what we want is our land back and to earn just salaries." At one point another speaker used the upcoming holidays to underscore the economic realities of the country. "The rich that run this country are busy buying Christmas gifts for their children, all we have to offer our children is hunger."
At several points in the demonstration, the crowd was urged to yell unpleasantries at government officials who would try to sneak by. According to the United Nations 70% of Guatemalans live in poverty. The protestors today emphasized the point that "the Guatemala that they experience is the real Guatemala, not the fantasy land that many members of Congress live in." Today´s march was another indication that what Guatemalans want and demand is serious land reform, not the neoliberal economic policies the government forces on them.