Natalia Atz, member of CEIBA-Friends of the Earth Guatemala told Real World Radio how the association agreements “proposed” by the European Union, or the Free Trade Agreement negotiated with the US, have strengthened the interest of transnational companies on mining resources.

Fernando Solís, member of El Observador, an organization which conducts analyses around extractive industries linked to big transnational corporations, explained this issue and the goals of the meeting.

“Despite the fact that the politicians in Guatemala are discussing the contents of a new mining law, the main affected people, native communities, are not part of the debates”, said Solís.

“Although in Guatemala we are no longer producing coffee at large scale, the Northern countries or blocs continue to see us as raw materials producers which can´t set their own rules in the unequal trade”, added Solis in an interview with Real World Radio.

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