Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Juan Sacatepéquez (Agenzia Fides) - The government has declared a curfew in the district of Sacatepéquez, where indigenous peoples have suffered violence once again in their territories. According to a statement of the indigenous communities, sent to Fides by a local source, on the night of September 19, an armed group entered their territory in San Juan Sacatepéquez, and opened fire on the community leaders who had gathered, killing a person. These armed men were later identified as employees of the Cementos Progreso company. This gave rise to a spiral of violence that has so far caused eleven deaths and several injuries, aggravating the already existing tension in the region.
In 2006, in fact the Cementos Progreso S.A. company announced the construction of a giant cement factory and other works connected to this, in indigenous territories, without consulting the population. Threats and acts of vandalism against the leaders of the community and also against the Church are among the incidents of violence that followed, recorded and documented by indigenous communities.
The Archbishop of Santiago de Guatemala, His Exc. Mgr. Oscar Julio Vian Morales, S.D.B., during the Mass he celebrated in Amatitlan on September 14, before the last violent episode took place, had complained: "You cannot kill people as if they were animals. We owe respect even towards animals, how can you not respect people's lives?".Then the Archbishop said that the increased presence of the army and the police does not mean combat violence, but one has to work for the good of society, creating jobs and ensuring public education.
The latest news is that the police stopped 4 people thought to be responsible for the massacre against the indigenous. The Minister of the Interior of Guatemala said that the fire was ordered to prevent family members and friends of the victims to act in revenge. 26 people involved in the violence are wanted. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 25/09/2014)
