Trade and Globalization
Through our Trade and Globalization Program, NISGUA advocates for indigenous rights, environmental justice, and alternative development policies. Hundreds of communities in Guatemala are facing transnational mega-projects, specifically open-pit mines and large-scale hydroelectric dams. Working in close coordination with affected communities and social movements in Guatemala, NISGUA is playing a vital solidarity role in advocating for human rights and alternative development policies in the international arena.
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Introduction
In today's age of globalization, corporate interests continue to violate the rights of the Guatemalan people, and continue to use foreign governments and international institutions, along with local elite, to maintain their access to Guatemala's resources.
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U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)

The U.S. government negotiated, without serious public participation or consultation, a free trade agreement called the Dominican Republic – U.S. – Central America Free Trade Agreement, better known as CAFTA. Modeled along the lines of NAFTA, CAFTA promotes the “rights” of corporations at the expense of local populations.
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Plan Puebla-Panama (PPP) / Meso America Project

Introduced by President Vicente Fox of Mexico in 2001 and later joined by all Central American Presidents, the PPP is a $10 billion, 10 to 25 year regional integration project to create and interconnect transportation routes, industrial corridors and a variety of infrastructure projects throughout Mesoamerica (Southern Mexico and Central America), and firmly root the global "free trade" agenda in the region. The primary objective of the PPP is to consolidate what is a highly contested neoliberal "vision of development." One of the key PPP projects in Guatemala is the Xalala Dam.

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Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)

The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) is the expansion of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to every country in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, except Cuba. Being negotiated behind closed doors, with little citizen input but plenty of suggestions from corporations, the FTAA is yet another example of the kind of free-market fundamentalism that has created a global race to the bottom that erodes environmental protection, workers' livelihoods, and human rights.
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Xalala Dam

The Xalala hydroelectric dam is a contentious development project in the Ixcan, Quiche region that could displace indigenous communities and damage the ecosystem under the guise of fueling free trade. The Xalala dam is the keystone project in the establishment of a new national energy matrix necessary for the expansion of the extractive industry. Read NISGUA's overview of the Xalala dam here.

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NISGUA Accompaniment and Advocacy for Trade and Globalization

NISGUA's growing Trade and Globalization Program builds upon years of grassroots mobilization and advocacy work to challenge CAFTA and other harmful U.S.-led economic policies. As the Guatemalan movement builds, we have also stepped up our efforts to support communities organizing to protect indigenous territories and community rights as large-scale mines and dams move forward.
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Migration


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Mining

"No to mining, yes to life!" This shout is heard throughout Guatemala, in response to the almost 400 mining concessions that have been granted to transnational gold, silver, nickel, and zinc companies over the last several years. Spanish colonialists, military governments, and now multinational corporations have historically exploited these resources in Guatemala. The immense profits have been kept by those in power, while the environmental consequences are shouldered by local communities. Because of this, mineral exploitation is closely associated with militarized repression by the state. The Guatemalan people demand fair and self-directed development and respect for the environment. Read NISGUA's overview of mining here.

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Climate Change


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General Trade and Globalization News

Over 700,000 Guatemalans have participated in community referendums, in which the majority of participants have rejected large-scale development projects carried out without the consent of affected populations. Communities and organizations working to protect social, economic and cultural rights often face criminalization, repression and attacks.
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