What happened to the US military aid to Guatemala?
After the convictions of the Dos Erres four, based on a Guatemalan government's commitment to reorganize its special forces units, the U.S. Department of Defense resumed military aid.
Why are Guatemalans protesting the president of Guatemala?
San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guatemala – Tens of thousands of Guatemalans took to the street to demand the resignation of the country’s president and attorney general due to the administration’s lack of willingness to address corruption. The protests are among the largest and most widespread since 2015.
What does the Presidential Honor Guard of Guatemala do?
The Presidential Honor Guard of Guatemala is a branch of the Guatemalan Land Forces, responsible for the care and protection of the President of the Republic, as well as the Vice President. Members of the Parachute Brigade of the Guatemalan army in Puerto San José.
What is the Ministry of National Defence in Guatemala?
The Ministry of National Defence is the agency of the Guatemalan government responsible for the budget, training and policy of the armed forces. Based in Guatemala City, the Defence Ministry is heavily guarded, and the President of Guatemala frequently visits.
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What is the Guatemalan army known for?
The Guatemalan army has a special forces unit (specializing in anti-insurgent jungle warfare) known as the Kaibiles. In 2011, a Guatemalan court convicted four members of the Kaibiles, of killing more than 200 civilians in the Dos Erres massacre in 1982. Each man was sentenced to 6,050 years in prison.
What is the Ministry of National Defence?
The Ministry of National Defence is the agency of the Guatemalan government responsible for the budget, training and policy of the armed forces. Based in Guatemala City, the Defence Ministry is heavily guarded, and the President of Guatemala frequently visits. As of 2017. [update]
What is the Honor Guard?
The Presidential Honor Guard of Guatemala is a branch of the Guatemalan Land Forces, responsible for the care and protection of the President of the Republic, as well as the Vice President.
What is the oldest branch of the military?
The Army or Land Forces are the oldest military branch of the armed forces. In the middle of the 19th century, General Rafael Carrera promoted it with the triumph in the Battle of San José La Arada, dated to 2 February 1851, a date that is today commemorated as the day of this branch.
When is the Armed Forces Day?
Armed Forces Day. The Día del Ejército (Army Day or Armed Forces Day) is celebrated on 30 June, although if it occurs on a Tuesday or Wednesday it is celebrated on the prior Monday, and if it occurs on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday it moves to the following Monday.
Is Guatemala a member of the Central American Defense Council?
Guatemala is a signatory to the Rio Pact and was a member of the Central American Defense Council (CONDECA). The President of the Republic is commander-in-chief. Prior to 1945 the Defence Ministry was titled the Secretariat of War ( Secretaría de la Guerra ).
How many people gathered in Guatemala on November 21, 2020?
On November 21, 2020, more than 7,000 people gathered in protest in Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala. Hundreds of protesters also gathered in other parts of the country. University students led a protest that began four blocks away from the National Congress. Once they arrived at the plaza in front of the building, they set up a guillotine. Protesters called on President Giammattei to veto the 2021 budget bill. They also called for the resignation of 125 of the 160 legislators in Congress. Uniformed police officers stood by as protesters climbed the front of the National Congress building, broke windows, and threw in incendiary devices. After the building was set on fire, the security forces fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Several people were injured. Firefighters arrived to stop the fire. The building, which was empty at the time, was on fire for about 10 minutes but the extent of the damage is not yet known.
What happened in Guatemala City in 2020?
Resulted in. Use of tear gas by security forces. Damage to the National Congress building. On November 21, 2020, protests began in Guatemala City and several other parts of the country in response to the passing of a controversial budget bill by Congress in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of Hurricanes Eta and Iota.
What did the protesters call for in the 2021 budget?
Once they arrived at the plaza in front of the building, they set up a guillotine. Protesters called on President Giammattei to veto the 2021 budget bill. They also called for the resignation of 125 of the 160 legislators in Congress.
Who was targeted during the Ortega crackdown?
The government has also targeted those who expose its abuses, including independent journalists and human rights defenders. Several of the human rights defenders and journalists targeted during the crackdown had been longstanding critics of Ortega and had already been victims of harassment before the protests started.
How many sentences have been handed down against a member of an armed pro-government group?
The OHCHR has reported that, according to available information, just one sentence has been handed down against a member of an armed pro-government group and not a single investigation has been opened into members of security forces implicated in abuses.
What is the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights?
Monitor compliance by the Nicaraguan government with the Council’s resolution A/HRC/40/L.8, which put in place monitoring and reporting by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Nicaragua, especially calling on Nicaraguan authorities to renew their collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other regional human rights bodies and grant them unhindered access to the country ; and,
What is Nicaragua's obligation to the government?
Under international human rights law, Nicaragua’s government has an obligation to prevent or punish serious human rights violations. Senior government officials, particularly those who lead institutions implicated in human rights violations, must uphold this responsibility. The government also has an obligation to prevent and punish human rights abuses by private actors, including armed pro-government groups.
What happened in Nicaragua in 2018?
Nicaragua: Targeted Sanctions, Justice Key to Curb Abuses. In April 2018, Nicaraguans took to the streets in large numbers to protest the government of President Daniel Ortega. They were met with violence.
Why are detainees being prosecuted?
Hundreds of detainees have also been subject to prosecutions for alleged crimes in connection with their participation in anti-government protests or their role in social movements that challenged the government, sometimes even prior to the crackdown. Many have been accused by prosecutors of serious, violent crimes.
Where is Amaya Zamora?
Amaya Coppens Zamora, 24, is a fifth-year medical student at the National University of Nicaragua in León (UNAN-Leon), a graduate of the United World College of Hong Kong, and a leader of the April 19 Movement in the city of León. [240] . She is a dual citizen of Belgium and Nicaragua.