‘Fighting a huge monster’: mine battle in Guatemala became a playbook for polluters
This article highlights Patrocinia Mejía, an activist who campaigned against the mining industry in San Miguel Ixtahuacán, Guatemala, home to Maya Mam villages. The Marlin Mine, owned by the Canadian gold-mining corporation Goldcorp, began operations in the region, just after Guatemala's decades-long civil war. While the mine initially promised jobs and development, the situation quickly soured. By 2017, the mine was closed, but not without leaving behind a legacy of negative health impacts, environmental pollution, and damage to private property, including homes. The community's initial optimism soon turned to concern as reports of health issues, environmental destruction, and property damage mounted. As opposition to the mine grew, local activists, including Mejía, faced increasing repression. Tactics such as criminalizing non-violent protest and using physical violence against anti-mining demonstrators became common. One such example is the case of Diodora Hernández Cinto, who refused to sell her land to Goldcorp. She was shot by two men, resulting in the loss of one eye. Despite the attack, no arrests were made. The violent suppression of activists, coupled with the long-term environmental damage caused by the mine, has had lasting effects on the community. Many residents now struggle with mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. This is just one of many instances in which Canadian mining companies have been implicated in environmental degradation and violations of human rights.
