Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Molina's own anti-corruption credentials were called into question as he came under
fire for defending three members of his government who had each racked up over
Q800,000 (over US$100,000) in travel expenses in a three month period. The trips were
defended by Molina as being necessary to avoid becoming 'isolated'. Meanwhile Con-
gress opened up the way to grant themselves whatever pay rises they feel like, whenever.
A Question of Security
One very touchy subject in rural Guatemala has to do with large (often foreign-admin-
istered) projects such as hydroelectric dams and mineral mines. Opponents to Molina's
mobilization of troops claim that the security argument is a smokescreen and that the sol-
diers are really there to protect the interests of these projects. As if to prove them right,
troops were sent in to 'restore order' at various anti-mining and anti-dam protests around
the country. In late 2012 soldiers shot into crowds at a protest outside of Totonicapán,
killing seven and wounding 40, a result characterized by Foreign Minister Harold
Caballeros to the international media as 'not a big deal'.
Guatemala still struggles with violence. The National Gun Registry campaign started
off well, but is faltering. While a little over 125,000 guns were registered and turned in,
it's estimated that nearly twice that amount are unregistered, leaving more than 250,000 il-
legal weapons in circulation.
Global Policy
Global policy continues to affect Guatemala. A possibly unforeseen consequence of the
move to renewable fuels has seen corn tortilla prices double in Guatemala as the United
States uses up to 40 percent of its corn crop to make biofuel. Corn is a staple in Guatem-
ala, nearly the one ingredient you are guaranteed to see at every meal and despite wide-
spread plantations the country imports nearly half of its corn.
The Slow Road to Recovery
Guatemala is on the slow road to recovery from its civil-war wounds. While this is in part
due to the passing of generations who lived through the war, official recognition of some
atrocities has been an important step in the recovery process. Though President Molina
has stated he does not believe the killings amounted to genocide, a campaign is underway
to exhume clandestine cemeteries used by the military to bury 'disappeared' dissidents
and the legal processes have at last begun, with some war criminals being brought to
