Partnership in human rights through education

Guatemala Scholarship Partners

The Chixoy hydroelectric dam caused the displacement of 33 ancient Mayan communities along the Río Negro river valley. It is the largest hydroelectric plant in Central America. 

After the amnesty in 1986, many survivors moved to the hydroelectric company's resettlement camp of Pacux. With a military base next door, they were under constant harassment. Seventy remains of disappeared persons were found in the well when ADIVIMA forced the government to close the base.

Ancient communities destroyed by dam


Thirty-three ancient Mayan communities along the Rio Negro watershed were displaced to make room for the Chixoy hydroelectric dam financed by the World Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank.  

       

Five communities suffered massacres accounting for the deaths of over 500 men, women and children. 


The Rio Negro river valley is now flooded but will require massive dredging due to the heavy level of silt.


Survivors not compensated for loss of land, sources of income or murder of loved ones


Survivors were moved onto barely arable land away from the river or to the electric company’s resettlement community of Pacux near Rabinal where they have lived in extreme poverty for 30 years. 


The electric company promised to build the survivors a modern village with homes, electricity, streets, water, schools. But that didn’t happen. 


Due to pressure from ADIVIMA through international allies and court cases, there is now some progress toward these promises. After 30 years, the villages eking out a living above the hydroelectric reservoir are receiving electricity and a footbridge was constructed to facilitate transportation from distant villages. 


Getting enough to eat is still a daily challenge. Education beyond sixth grade a remote dream. Public education only goes through sixth grade. Middle and high schools are private.


Neither the government nor the hydroelectric company has installed basic services of potable water, sewers, electricity, streets, health clinics or adequate education.


Some scholarship students come from the village of Pacux and others from remote rural villages. Here students sit in the gutter to study. ADIVIMA has fought for services for Pacux through negotiations with the government and through the courts for 25 years at tremendous risk of reprisal. 

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