“La Puya” activists rise up to oppose Guatemala gold mine

Americas Now

A resistance movement known as “La Puya” has been protesting the construction of a gold mine in Guatemala. The community group believes the mine, called El Tambor, poses a risk to their environment and a health threat to local residents.

They also say the building of the mine defies a court order and is illegal.

La Puya Movement Protests Guatemala Goldmine

A resistance movement known as “La Puya” has been protesting the construction of a gold mine in Guatemala. The community group believes the mine, called El Tambor, poses a risk to their environment and a health threat to local residents. They also say the building of the mine defies a court order and is illegal. El Tambor is owned by U.S. mining company Kappes Cassidy and Associates and its Guatemala Subsidiary, Exmingua. The mine company claims it is investing in the regions’ future. “La Puya” contends it is degrading the land. La Puya has been holding demonstrations at the entrance to the mine for years now. In some cases the protests have ignited clashes that have become violent. Correspondent Grace Gonzalez travels to Guatemala to speak to the members of “La Puya.” She tells us if their actions have been effective.

El Tambor is owned by U.S. mining company Kappes Cassidy and Associates and its Guatemala Subsidiary, Exmingua. The mine company claims it is investing in the regions’ future. “La Puya” contends it is degrading the land.

La Puya has been holding demonstrations at the entrance to the mine for years now. In some cases the protests have ignited clashes that have become violent.

Correspondent Grace Gonzalez travels to Guatemala to speak to the members of “La Puya.” She tells us if their actions have been effective.

Grace also gets reaction from government officials about the mine construction and the protests. Guatemala’s government has been mired in political scandal this year. Its President Otto Perez Molina resigned in September 2015 and was shortly thereafter put in jail on corruption charges.

In October 2015, comedian and TV star Jimmy Morales was elected the new President of Guatemala. His appointment to office reflects voter sentiment to bring an end to political fraud and give the country a fresh start.

Take a look at this piece by Grace Gonzalez on La Puya to see if their demonstrations have made a difference.