But beyond these numbers, the message was clear: Guatemalan President, General Otto Perez Molina, is willing to use an iron fist and criminalize the popular sectors.

And he is also willing to collaborate with impunity. In an interview with Real World Radio, leader Daniel Pascual, of the Peasant Unity Committee (CUC), denounced that despite the decision to lift the State of Emergency, the government hasn’t assessed the social impacts of this measure and its consequences.

For instance, there is no judicial investigation to determine responsibilities in the murder of peasant Andres Francisco Miguel, despite evidence –according to Guatemalan organizations- of the responsibility of Hidro Santa Cruz, the promoter of the hydroelectric
project that triggered this conflict.

According to Pascual, Perez Molina’s administration decided to lift the State of Emergency due to political pressure and the protests by indigenous people, peasants and unionists, and also due to the unconstitutionality appeal filed after the measure.

“The government is nevertheless arguing that order and safety were reestablished, and that’s why it was lifted”, said Pascual, who said that other consequences are not taken into account, for instance the consequences of the night raids on the children and young people of the area.

According to Pascual, the military presence in strategic points of the border with Mexico continues, and this decision was linked with the discussion taking place around the building of a mega road from the Atlantic coast to Mexican territory. “The State of Emergency was lifted but military presence continues. It is clear that the military officers will not leave the municipality because there are other interests involved”, he concluded.