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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE March 6, 2007
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| October 3, 2006 |
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala – Triunfo, Community Development after Civil War |
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| Mayan women in traditional dress, Triunfo |
Guatemala suffered more than 36 years of internal conflict, which formally ended with the signing of the Peace Accord at the end of 1996. During the civil war, 150,000 people were reported killed and 50,000 were never to be found again.
About half of Guatemalans are direct descendants of 22 different indigenous Mayan groups. Other Guatemalans consist of mestizos or Ladinos (those who are of mixed European and indigenous ancestry), and an elite few who are pure-blood Spanish descendants. Most of the population lives in rural areas, although urbanization is accelerating. |
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| Two young farmers in the community gardens, Triunfo |
The struggle against the harmful effects of colonization is one often seen in Latin America. In Guatemala, a colonial social structure with inherent racial discrimination (identified by poverty and violence especially in indigenous areas) exists. This was seen as the main factor in the overthrow of the Gen. Jorge Ubico dictatorship by the “October Revolutionaries” in 1944, which eventually led to great social reform and an emerging justice for a majority of Guatemalans. |
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| Two boys welcoming Peace Boat participants |
However, many private sector leaders and the military saw these new policies as a threat and with the support of the United States, a small group invaded from Honduras in 1954 and the Guatemalan government was again overthrown.
The following Civil War was a fierce struggle between the government and military, armed insurrection and leftist guerrilla groups. When the government started to threaten civilians into joining civilian defense patrols (PACs), many went into hiding in the mountains to avoid the conflict, and some became supporters of guerilla groups. |
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| A boy with a bike, who was watching welcome ceremonies from a distance |
Finally in 1993 with the Congressional election of Ramiro De Leon Carpio, the Peace Process began, brokered by the United Nations.
In December of 1996, the Peace Accord was signed that established immediate plans for conflict resolution including reconciliation and compensation to families through the National Program for Reinsertion (PNR), a reduction of military forces, and a promise to eliminate discrimination and promote socioeconomic development for all Guatemalans. However, no concrete action has been taken and most families still have not seen any of the compensation. |
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| A young woman presents a Peace Boat participant with a special gift |
During the 54th voyage, a group of participants visited the community of Triunfo, composed of 364 families, many of whom were persecuted for being guerilla supporters during the civil war. After ten years of hiding, the government officially invited these and other families to return but did not allow them to settle on former homelands. Being met with a new climate and unfamiliar agricultural conditions, Triunfo has struggled to adapt. |
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| A young farmer talks about agricultural challenges to a Peace Boat staff |
With the help of an organization called Ceiba (Friends of the Earth International Guatemala chapter) however, they have continued to develop their self-sustainability. With Ceiba’s support, the community now has a textile workshop where Triunfo women produce traditional textiles to sell at local markets, cooperatives, and to visitors. They have also helped farmers cultivate plots for traditional and organic agriculture, and the raising of livestock (goats, sheep, cows, pigs, chickens) to be sold.
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| Inside the home of a Triunfo family who hosted Peace Boat participants |
Peace Boat participants who joined this tour had the chance to see some of these projects in the community, and had the unique opportunity to home-stay with families. Community members were very welcoming and there was a cultural exchange of music, skits and speeches by Triunfo children and leaders, as well as Peace Boat’s Global University students. The dancing and laughing continued late into the evening. We were invited to take part in a traditional Mayan ceremony in the morning at dawn.
You can visit Ceiba’s website (in Spanish) at www.ceibaguate.org |
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