Historic Mother’s Day in Guatemala

First of all, I want to wish a Happy Guatemalan Mother’s Day to all the moms in my family and the world, and especially so to my very own dear mother. I love you mom!

Screen capture shared by my esteemed photojournalist friend Moisés Castillo on Twitter.

This afternoon, my motherland was given the best gift ever; a taste of justice, and not just any justice, but justice at the highest levels one can only dream of for a country such as Guatemala. Let me explain:

Today a tiny little country in northern Central America with a fragile justice system and deficiencies when it comes to serving justice made history by becoming the first country in America to declare guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity de facto dictator Efraín Ríos Montt and sentenced to 80 years in prison.

Also, it is the first time a former head of state had been found guilty of genocide by a court in his or her own country according to the BBC.

Here’s the overview written by my lawyer and writer friend Renata Avila for Global Voices Online:

Guatemalan de facto dictator Efraín Ríos Montt was declared guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. After organizing and fighting in courts for years, Guatemala’s Ixil Maya indigenous achieved justice… continue reading.

I won’t say more for now since I am sure you will be able to read, listen or watch this historic news through your preferred news channel. Watch, 1, 2, 3… follow the white rabbit ALWAYS!

El Canche says:

May 11, 2013 at 12:48 am

It is very significant that any country prove itself able to deliver justice even to its rulers. Until this is done, impunity runs rampant. I hope that many mothers in Guatemala who unjustly lost children or husbands to internal conflict can rejoice in part today.
Congratulations to Guatemala for leading the way and my prayers that it will continue forward, creating a culture of accountability, but above all of respect and love.
In the fight against evil, it might be good to remember that evil has not been locked up with Rios Montt; all members of any society need to look into themselves (using those (in)famous words we used to hear every Sunday on TV: “Tu papa; tu mama…” and realise it lurks on every street corner ….still; it’s a proud day for Guatemala!

tom de ny says:

May 11, 2013 at 5:04 am

Wow. I was amazed when he was brought to trial, and thought for sure that he’d find a way to avoid actual conviction. It’s an historic day for Guatemala.

Willy says:

May 11, 2013 at 6:06 am

Having traveled to the Ixil region on a couple of occasions, I have a particular fondness for the people I have met there and the genuine kindness they have shown me. Although 30 years is a lengthy time to wait for the slow, frustrating wheels of justice to turn, it still proves that atrocities can be addressed because of the “good” people out there. As Avila states in her article, this “huge” victory in Guatemala gives just a ray of hope to other oppressed people as those in Syria and Myanmar.

NYChapin says:

May 11, 2013 at 2:35 pm

yes, what an awesome gift !! I was glued to my laptop listening to the verdict online.

Stefan Jansson says:

May 14, 2013 at 3:54 am

I watched this on the news the other day.

Eric says:

May 16, 2013 at 8:52 am

Rudy, I saw the news while watching a Telesur broadcast, and couldn’t believe my eyes. Although, I always had (and have) faith in my guatemaltecos. And, only in the United States does a Northamerican need to watch a Venezuelan broadcast to see what’s happening in Guatemala, pues….

Historic Mother’s Day in Guatemala

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