Wow, Kevin. Thanks for the downer!

My sentiments were all over this article, but maybe summed up best by this refrain:

“the extent to which justice [could] be expedited and impunity ended in Guatemala.” Yet, like the challenge of Congressional efficiency that CICIG faced in the battle for its initial establishment, the limited implementation of CICIG’s recommended reforms has revealed an inherent weakness of the commission in that “CICIG is forced to cooperate with the institutions it is tasked with investigating.”

Again, maybe reform is an illusion. The only way to expect change is through revolution.

I am working more and mose with grassroots folk who have an integrity that is completely foreign to the upper echelon of Guatemala's politics. There are people, in each of the Government offices, and the lower level areas, like the courts for the children, who have a heart, and really care about things like Justice for those who have no political power. They obviously ( as the article makes clear) are not doing the right thing because it will help their career. They are doing the right thing, because they know their humanity depends on it. and their fellow human depends on it. So, as I walk the halls of power in Guatemala, I am dismayed much of the time, but incredibly encouraged when I meet these really special people.

Maybe there will never be a real change. The corruption is so entrenched. But if we give into it, we become a part of it.

Maybe Che was right.

That is incredibly sad. My heart goes out to the Guatemalan people. I pray that there will be fundamental changes.

Best, Cheryl

This is so disheartening, but not surprising to me. Many Latin American nations have gone through similar struggles.

All we can do as citizens of other countries, I guess, is try to keep Guatemala news alive in the public sphere by talking to our friends and elected officials, etc. If the corrupt officials in G. know the eyes of the world are on them, that news is circulating on the internet, etc. they will find it harder to act with the impunity they did in years past.