"El futuro es nuestro, el presente de lucha"

Guatemala is a fascinating country with a unbelivably beatiful and varied landscape and a rich and unique cultural heritage. This combined the really low prices is mainly why so many turist come to Guatemala each year, tourist that will have to face the poverty. What the tourist doesn't realize, or isn't interested in, is the history and the politics that has characterized the country for many years, and which tragically continues to do so.

Guatemala has a very bloody history. Just like the majority of the Central American countries their history is determined by north American interests. The 36 year long war ended in 1997, but even though a truce has been signed, the battle continues in the country, in the dark. Maybe it is because of the North American interest that there isn't more focus on the situation in Central America here in Europe, or maybe it is because of the lack of commitment from our part, but after spending two months in the country I believe it is about time we put focus on the exploitment and the injustice present in Guatemala.
Coming from a Western country one can't understand former dictator can run for precidency 20 years later and it is also incomprehensibly that the US can continue undesturbed with their complete exploitation of the Guatemalan people. These two aspects are probably not without connection and there one thing is for certain: Things won't change in Guatemala and Central America until the rest of the world puts focus on and questions the United States' influence and sovereignty in these helpless and disturbed countries.

I have chosen to try and communicate what I learned during my stay in Guatemala to the people that might be interested and who found my website, so that these people hopefully are left with a desire to help change the situation in Guatemala and Central America!