Francisco Tepeu died on the night of 22 June 2008, following a craven attack during a joint operation by the Guatemalan police and army in the community of El Troje of the township of San Juan Sacatepéquez. The bullets that ended his life also left his young son fatherless. His mother still grieves his loss, immersed in dire poverty, since her son had been the family’s sole breadwinner.
María Fidelia Set Xoc, a Maya Kaqchiquel and mother of Francisco, talked with us about what happened, with that controlled rage of those whose voice is not heard and if it is heard changes nothing in their lot in life. She tells us of her sorrows.
The San José Mincesa corporation, owned by Guatemalan and Swiss (Holcim) investors, is trying to start a cement plant in the midst of 12 communities that zealously cultivate maize, beans, vegetables and, in particular, flowers for domestic and international markets. To get its way, the company has used extremely vile methods of intimidation and repression, in open complicity with local authorities, the central government, and of course, the forces of “order,” which, at the service of the factory’s owners, committed these barbarities. Some protesters received bullet wounds, others were sentenced to 150 years in jail for “chemical, biological and atomic terrorism.” Almost two years later, other leaders are still in jail awaiting trial.
As we say our goodbyes, our words fail us as we are overwhelmed with conflicting emotions. What can we say? We hope you’re well, have a good day, good luck, best wishes to your family, and so forth? These feeble statements seem so contradictory in the face of such hard-hitting reality, marked by the indelible image of human suffering caused by other humans in their crazed frenzy for power.
María Fidelia returns to her visible shell of solitude. We head back to our obligatory cry of protest and denouncement, because to remain silent in the face of injustice is to be part of the cowardly silence with which the murderers caress their children.
Chimaltenango, 18 April 2010
Jaime Idrovo Urigüen
EQUIPO COMUNICÁNDONOS
