D. - The Guatemala today ...
R. the situation today is characterized by so much violence, there are on average 16 murders a day, especially in Guatemala City. During the years of armed conflict was so much violence.
Among the most affected by the violence are the bus drivers, even seven were killed in a single day. Today, violence is most numerous in both the number of episodes is in ferocity. In Guatemala City were found mutilated corpses in the streets.
Among the causes of this violence, we can mention: organized crime, drug trafficking, the activities of the maras, kidnappings of migrants (of the 72 migrants were killed in Tamaulipas, Mexico in August of 2010, the Guatemalans were 14, including 3 of my diocese of San Marcos).
Ours is a young country with 74% of the population of Guatemala is in the age group of 1-24 years. But there is a worrying 49% of children suffer from chronic malnutrition in children.
To make matters worse, in last five years there have been devastating hurricanes (especially Stan and Agatha), this is due to the fact that there is no respect for nature.
Civil society has not lost hope, the Church is trying to keep to the side of the poor, because he is aware that it is more necessary than ever to promote justice and freedom and humane living conditions for all.
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D. - The problem of maras ...
R. the two main gangs, Mara Salvatrucha and Mara 18 are from the United States, from Los Angeles. It is a problem that affects throughout Central America, it is estimated that there are 65,000 bottle mareros in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. Among them is a strong rivalry. The young people from broken families have a high burden of hatred and violence in our hearts, but between them will defend to the death and help each other as brothers. We have seen that there are links between organized crime, drug trafficking and poverty. From maras can not come out, if not for a spiritual conversion. The mareros live their religious syncretism, blending satanic cult and devotion to Our Lady.
some priests in Guatemala City working with young people to support those who trying to get out of the maras , some young people have been killed for abandoning maras. But we still have strong pastoral sector.
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D. - From the economic point of view ...
R. Economic power takes precedence over the political, the state does not have the strength to oppose the neoliberal economic model. Ours is a weak state, today there is so much distrust of political parties, many election promises were not kept. The political class has lost credibility with the public. There is also distrust against the Constitutional Court. Missing Judges, magistrates, there is a great void that is losing confidence in justice.
It is estimated that 59 families in Guatemala have the power and this causes economic inequality and social conflict.
Neoliberalism favors the multinationals, in San Marcos is the Marlin mine, owned by Gold Corp Gold Corp. When he started working in Guatemala, the gold was worth $ 420 an ounce, now worth 1460 dollars. And Gold Corp Guatemala gives only 1% of royalty. The advantage for the country is too little. Guatemala is only at the environmental damage (including water pollution from cyanide).
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D. - How to be useful from Europe ...
R. are important to us projects of social organizations, is essential to maintain solidarity still alive, which is not only economic assistance, but also attention to the problems of the country, to know our reality, support us in our daily lives, in our efforts in defense of the poor.
(Turin, 21-22 February 2011)
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