-- Guatemala: government order declaring state of siege just this AM in 4 municipalities surrounding San Rafael Mine.
-- President Pérez Molina says gov will work with gov office of human rights to ensure human rights are respected amid state of siege
-- Guatemalan president: state of siege will be in effect for 30 days in 4 communities in the area around the mine. One month.
-- Pres. Molina: We have reports of large weapons; grenades, this is what made us realize this is more than a simple protest against mining.
-- Prez. Molina: “There are other interests mixing with those of the civil population, ‘other interests’ that are behind this situation.”
-- Molina: “It is prohibited to kidnap policemen, like what happened; also illegal to destroy state property in the area; steal explosives.”
-- Prez Molina: There are people using major weapons against the police who were assigned to the area to keep the peace in a neutral manner
-- Prez Molina: “There are people stealing weapons that belong to Guatemalan people… we are here to secure peace & stability in the country.”
-- Prez Molina: “We are maintaining a neutral position regarding the mine… our goal is to ensure the peace and tranquility of Guatemala.”
- Prez Molina: There have been high-caliber weapons, explosives for 6 mo in the hands of “small groups” in mining area.
-- Prez Molina: People who oppose mining in the area are the groups responsible for recent acts of violence that sparked state of siege.
-- Ministro de Gobernacion @mlopezbonilla “The application of law is not negotiable. Charges that we are criminalizing anti-mining protest in the area are false”
-- @mlopezbonilla & prez @ottoperezmolina also mentioned narcotrafficking by Los Zetas in Jalapa, 1 area now under siege today for 30 days.
-- “We have intelligence re: organized crime linked to Zetas in Jalapa" says @mlopezbonilla, justifying state of siege declared there. #guate
-- @mlopezbonilla: It is false that we are criminalizing objections to the mining in that area.
-- @mlopezbonilla: there are other disputed mines in other areas, we’re not declaring states of siege there. Org crime/Zetas crisis here.
-- @mlopezbonilla describes groups who were protesting metal mining in areas under state of siege “Merchants of Conflict.”
-- Prez. Molina: “The result of our investigations effectively prove that this state of siege does not necessarily have to do with the mine.”
....
-- Guatemala: Secty. of Christian Ecumenical Council calls state of siege enacted last night an act of "repression against social movements.”
-- Restrictions under State of Siege in #Guatemala:
- Freedom of movement
- Freedom of Assembly
- Right to bear arms
- Detention rights
-- …and right on time, ominous clouds, thunderclaps descend over Guatemala; the volcano of fire nearby emits white smoke & periodic “booms.”
adding a pic I found today
NASA captures Guatemala Volcano erupting from space
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