Guatemala: Tensions Near Lake Izabal

By Larry Habegger | Permalink | 2 comments | March 20th, 2008 | Trackback

Four Belgian tourists and two locals were abducted and held hostage for two days by Mayan farmers on Lake Izabal in a dispute over land use. The Mayans have been pressing the government to recognize their traditional farming rights to land in the area but Guatemalan law prohibits land use permits in nature reserves. The farmers argue that they have been working the land for generations and their rights must be respected, but there is no mechanism in the law to do so. This is not the first incident of this kind in the area. In February the farmers kidnapped 29 police officers and earlier abducted four government technicians conducting a biological study at the lake. Wealthy land owners have also contributed to the problem by provoking the farmers, claiming they own some of the land the farmers are working. A simple solution may be hard to find, and tensions are likely to continue.

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