Key challenges

Reforestation project, Cabrican [Marcella Haddad]

In Guatemala, CAFOD partners tackle issues such as trade, human rights, and natural disasters

Trade: Despite violent protests, the government signed the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in May 2004, leading to traditional exports of coffee, sugar and bananas being hit by low prices on the world market.

Human rights: It is estimated more than 200,000 people – 80 per cent of them Mayan – were killed or disappeared in the 1980s, and many more had to flee their homes during a repression officially recognised by the Catholic Church and the UN as genocide.

Some soldiers accused of atrocities during the country’s 36-year civil war have been granted amnesty; others had their prison sentences reduced. Lawsuits against the former military dictator, Efraín Ríos Montt are moving slowly.

Natural disasters: In October 2005, Hurricane Stan caused severe floods and landslides, killing at least 1,500 and affecting more than 400,000 - mostly poor indigenous communities living in the highlands.

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