Court to Analyze Guatemalan Presidential Candidate Case

Guatemala, Aug 8 (Prensa Latina) Sympathizers of former Guatemalan First Lady Sandra Torres remain in front of the headquarters of the Constitutional Court (CC) to put pressure for her registration as presidential candidate.

Guatemala Readies Security Plan for Elections

Guatemala, Jul 31 (Prensa Latina) The Ministry of the Interior is preparing a strategic plan to ensure security in the September 11 general elections in Guatemala.

According to Interior Minister Carlos Menocal, the program includes risk maps, taking into account violent incidents in previous elections, as well as the characteristics of criminality in some regions of the country.

UN Backs Free AIDS/HIV Tests in Guatemala

Guatemala City, Jul 29 (Prensa Latina) The UN in Guatemala is involved in promoting the campaign Take the HIV Test, to prevent and curb the AIDS virus from spreading.

Local UN agencies are praising the Guatemalan government initiative, which encourages citizens to exercise their right to take the test free of charge, and aims to reach more than 100,000 people.

March in Defense of Migrants Leaves Guatemala for Mexico

Mexico, Jul 24 (Prensa Latina) The Caravan “Step by Step Towards Peace” leaves Guatemala for Mexico to demand the government of Felipe Calderón the cessation of attacks against Central American migrants, as well as unfairly blaming organized crime for the abuses.

Children are Stars of Guatemala Int”l Book Fair

Guatemala, Jul 17 (Prensa Latina) Children”s learning and enjoyment are the focus of the International Book Fair of Guatemala (Filgua) this weekend.

Running at Parque de la Industria, the fair opened on Thursday, but there is an extensive program of children’s activities over the weekend, when parents are off work.

UN Office in Guatemala Condemns Pre-election Violence

Guatemala City, Jun 21 (Prensa Latina) The Office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner in Guatemala condemned what it called intolerable, ongoing election-related violence in this country.

In a press release, the UN agency condemned attacks against people involved in the election process, including those who work for the Supreme Election Court.

Guatemala: Remains Exhumed of Victims of Army Violence

Guatemala, (Prensa Latina) The remains were disinterred of four people killed by the Army in 1966 in eastern Guatemala, completing a process started in the area one week ago. According to the Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo (Mutual Support Group, or GAM), these were the first victims of military forces in the region during the internal armed conflict of 1960-1996, which ended with the signing of peace agreements.

Guatemala: 2nd Day of State of Siege Due to Massacre

Guatemala, May 18 (Prensa Latina) The Guatemalan department of Peten entered its second day under a state of siege on Wednesday, with considerable forces in many areas searching for the perpetrators of a massacre that occurred last weekend.

Guatemalan Winaq, First Indigenous Group in Elections

Guatemala, May 4 (Prensa Latina) Winaq, the first indigenous movement to participate as a political party in the Guatemalan elections, has begun campaigning but have yet to name its presidential ticket.

  The party’s founder, Rigoberta Menchu, 1992 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is very likely to be named a candidate this weekend, thus repeating her presidential aspiration of four years ago, when she was the candidate for a coalition.

Guatemala VP Pleased with Cuban Visit

Guatemala, Jan 21 (Prensa Latina) Vice President of Guatemala Rafael Espada expressed on Friday his satisfaction and happiness with the visit paid this week to Cuba, where he discussed Cuban health collaboration.

In a meeting with journalists in Guatemala, Espada referred to his activities in Havana, including a meeting with Cuban First Vice President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura.

Former Guatemalan President Portillo on Trial

Guatemala, Jan 19 (Prensa Latina) Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo is due in court Wednesday to face charges for embezzling millions of dollars in public funds during his 2000-2004 mandate.

He is accused of having transferred some 120 million quetzales (about 15 million USD) from the Defense Ministry to personal bank accounts and those of close relatives.

Volcano Triggers Yellow Alert in 3 Guatemalan Departments

Guatemala, Jan 13 (Prensa Latina) Three Guatemalan departments are under yellow alert, as a preventive measure in the face of the sustained activity of Fuego Volcano.

Sacatepequez, Chimaltenango, and Escuintla keep a wary eye on the evolution in coming days of the colossal, volcano, 3,763 meters above sea level.

The volcano is being monitored by the National Coordinating Office for Disaster Reduction, and the National Institute of Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology.

Guatemalans Continue Attending Shelters

Guatemala, Jan 12 (Prensa Latina) More than 13,000 Guatemalans were sheltered in 22 facilities to protect them from the cold weather since the beginning of the season on November, stated the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction.

New Year Begins with Violence in Guatemala

Guatemala, Jan 4 (Prensa Latina) Violence once more marked the beginning of the New Year in Guatemala, where more than 50 violent deaths were reported in the last few days, including an attack using explosives on a city bus.