Guatemalan farmers protest mining project

Thousands of indigenous farmers marched into Guatemala City on Tuesday (March 27), calling on the government to put an end to mining projects in their villages.

The protesters had been travelling for more than a week, coming from remote communities in the San Juan Sacatepequez region, about 200 km north of the capital.

They say the planned developments will destroy their lands.

Many farmers have reported that they were forcibly evicted and intimidated by mining firms.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTESTER MOISES DIVAS SAYING:

"We are here primarily so that the governmen) stop allowing mining projects and that they stop evictions and criminal activities against our leaders in indigenous communities."

The group is demanding a review of the rural development law, calling for better protection measures for the environment and a cancellation of licenses awarded to mining companies for projects covering large swathes of farm land.

Guatemala has a tarnished mining history. A 2010 report accused giant firm, Goldcorp Mining, of human rights violations despite bringing development to Guatemala's western highlands.

Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.