Guatemala: Entire Q’eqchi’ Community Destroyed by Guatemalan Government, Biofuel Corporation

From: www.GuatemalaSolidarityProject.org

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October 28, 2011

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The Guatemala Solidarity Project strongly and urgently condemns the October 26 attack against the community Paraná in Panzos, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.  The attack was carried out by Guatemalan police along with private security and was directly overseen by wealthy biofuels investor Carlos Widmann, brother in law of ex-President Oscar Berger.  All houses in the community were destroyed in the attack.

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Please view our recent video interview with a community leader in Paraná at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu9Tk0Z3oyo

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The GSP also released a 2-page report in late September titled Terror and Starvation in Guatemala’s Polochic Valley.  It can be found at http://guatemalasolidarityproject.org/terrorinpolochic.htm

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GSP collaborators Tristan Call and Katy Savage published a more in depth piece about increasing government repression and the food crisis in Guatemala.  It can be found at http://upsidedownworld.org/main/guatemala-archives-33/3162-food-crisis-in-the-polochic-exacerbates-as-government-repression-continues

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Families displaced from Paraná are now in a difficult struggle to survive and are in need of immediate solidarity.  The GSP is working with Paraná and other organizations to help provide emergency support, including food, clothes and medicine.  To find out more please visit www.guatemalasolidarityproject.org or make a check out to “UPAVIM Community Development Foundation” and send to UPAVIM, c/o Amanda Legare, PO Box 63, Marshfield, VT 05658 Write the word “Parana” in the notes/memo section and 100% of funds will go to support the community.