Press release marking the 9th anniversary of the Xinka people’s peaceful resistance and the 15th anniversary of the Municipal Referendums requested by the residents of Santa Rosa de Lima, Nueva Santa Rosa, and Casillas, Santa Rosa.

Today, June 14, 2026, we commemorate 9 years of peaceful resistance by the Xinka people here in Casillas; the 15th anniversary of the municipal referendums, initiated at the request of residents, held in Santa Rosa de Lima, Nueva Santa Rosa, and Casillas; the 14th anniversary of the municipal referendum in Mataquescuintla; the 13th anniversary of the good faith referendums held in the municipality of San Rafael Las Flores; and the 10th anniversary of the municipal consultation in San Carlos Alzatate, where more than 98% of the population said NO to mining in opposition to the El Escobal mining project, located in San Rafael Las Flores and currently owned by the transnational corporation Pan American Silver. This day represents not only an anniversary, but also a symbol of dignity, persistence, and collective memory. 

The Xinka people, one of Guatemala’s four indigenous groups, have lived in the departments of Santa Rosa, Jalapa, and Jutiapa for generations. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE, 2018), more than 262,000 people self-identify as members of this indigenous nation. Despite centuries of being rendered invisible, the Xinka people have preserved their roots, their forms of community organization, and their connection to the land and water. 

ILO Convention 169, ratified by Guatemala, obligates the state to consult with indigenous peoples before developing projects that affect their territory. In spite of this, the El Escobal mine was built without prior consultation.

For our people, mining has meant: imposition, conflict, criminalization, and a direct threat to our land, our water, and our spirituality. That is why we commemorate this long and courageous journey today. 

Since 2009, resistance has taken the form of peaceful protests and large gatherings of people expressing their opposition to the mining project. The support of the Catholic Church was essential, with the celebration of Masses, as well as visits to the mining company’s offices to highlight rights violations such as the failure to conduct free, prior, and informed consultations. Legal actions were initiated before the Ministry of Energy and Mines to prevent the project’s approval, and in an effort to ensure the Xinka people’s voices were heard. 

Consultations were initiated based on the municipal code and the laws regarding development consultations; many were challenged by the mining company and Guatemalan business associations, but legal resolutions were passed that confirmed the people’s right to be consulted. Numerous press conferences were held to ensure that the general public was aware of the actions the Xinka people were taking as part of their right to protest and their right to resist. 

Despite these actions, and even though both the mining company and the government were aware of widespread opposition among the people, they proceeded to approve the mining license. In response, the government subjected the community to legal persecution, criminalized its leaders, imposed a state of emergency, and issued search warrants and arrest warrants for community leaders who opposed the project. 

In February 2010, residents and community leaders filed the first legal challenges before the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), questioning the validity of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the mining project. At the same time, a municipal consultation was requested for the first time in San Rafael Las Flores, but it was rejected. 

On April 29, 2011, more than 10,000 people marched from the center of the municipality of San Rafael Las Flores to the entrance of the mining project. Each person left a flower as a symbol of protest. This mass mobilization, led by the Catholic Church, went down in history as “The March of the Flowers.” 

During 2011 and 2012, neighboring communities such as Santa Rosa de Lima, Nueva Santa Rosa, Casillas, and Mataquescuintla held municipal referendums, which saw broad participation, and in which 98% of people rejected the presence of mining. The people resoundingly affirmed: We do not want mining in our territory!

At the same time, the streets, parks, and roads became the scene of marches, vigils, and peaceful demonstrations. On February 20, 2012, nearly 2,000 people participated in a public Mass in the central park of San Rafael Las Flores, officiated by Bishop Álvaro Ramazzini. It was a spiritual and political event. That day, the mayor-elect publicly committed to holding the consultation the community had requested; however, this consultation never took place.

The year 2013 marked a milestone: a series of community consultations was organized in villages such as San Juan Bosco, Volcancito, Los Planes, La Cuchilla, Barrio Oriental, Las Delicias, Renacimiento, El Chanito, and Sabana Redonda. In the majority of these, more than 96% of the population voted against mining. 

That same year, the El Escobal Peaceful Resistance was formally established to oppose the mining project. The state responded not with an intent to open dialogue but with repression. Community leaders were arrested and imprisoned as yet another act of criminalization. Despite this, the resistance continued. 

In May 2013, the government declared a state of emergency in four municipalities: Casillas, San Rafael Las Flores, Mataquescuintla, and Jalapa. This was intended to disband community organization. But that same year, in Jalapa and San Carlos Alzatate, more than 94% and 98% of the population, respectively, once again rejected mining through municipal referendums.

On June 7, 2017, the Permanent Peaceful Resistance was established in Casillas. This action was coordinated by community leaders and the Xinka people to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court of Justice’s rulings on the injunction filed regarding the Xinka people’s right to a consultation.

During that same year, three major demonstrations were held in the capital, demanding respect for the right to consultation and the identity of the Xinka people. Finally, in September, the Supreme Court of Justice recognized that the right to consultation had been violated. 

On November 6, 2017, a second sit-in was held, this time in front of the Constitutional Court to ensure a swift resolution.

On August 20, 2017, the Organized Civil Society of Mataquescuintla launched another peaceful resistance, this time monitoring the road to ensure the mining company did not continue to operate illegally. 

On September 3, 2018, the Constitutional Court issued a historic ruling: it ordered the State of Guatemala to conduct a consultation with the Xinka People in accordance with international standards, and to suspend operations of the El Escobal mining project. This was the first time this right had been formally recognized for the Xinka People. 

That same month, as a sign of victory, the sit-in that had been held for 10 months in front of the Constitutional Court—with the support of numerous social organizations and indigenous peoples—was lifted.

However, the consultation process was manipulated from the outset. In 2019, Xinka authorities publicly stated that the government was excluding them, violating the Constitutional Court’s ruling and sowing internal divisions. 

In 2020, despite irregularities, the pre-consultation process ordered by the Constitutional Court in Ruling 4785–2017 was formalized between Xinka communities and the state.

Now, in 2026, after more than 15 years of struggle and 9 years of ongoing peaceful resistance, we reaffirm that this struggle is not only against a mining project, but also a fight for the defense of life, water, forests, and ancestral lands.

The results of the public consultation process have recently been submitted to the central government; therefore, on this anniversary of the resistance, a clear and forceful message is being sent to the government to resolve the matter as soon as possible in accordance with the law and based on the results of the process, since, according to the latest public consultations, the results confirm the people’s decision NOT to grant consent for the continuation of operations of said mining project. The appropriate course of action, then, is for the mine to be permanently shut down, with the matter resolved before the general elections so that it is not left pending for other administrations. The communities involved in the resistance will remain actively vigilant, monitoring the central government’s response.

Also keeping in mind that Pan American Silver continues to conduct site visits offering guided tours that provide biased information, as well as monitoring, harassing, and using the media to intimidate community leaders. 

Now, following the release of the results of the Xinka people’s consultation process, we demand that the state of Guatemala and the courts act responsibly and lawfully, and that they follow through on this process in strict accordance with the law—ensuring justice for the human rights violations committed, the illegal granting of licenses, and the systematic criminalization we have faced as a people. 

To the Catholic Church: Your spiritual and pastoral presence has been and continues to be fundamental in sustaining hope, dignity, and the fabric of our community in the face of structural violence and the imposition of extractive projects. In these difficult times, we need the Church’s voice to be raised clearly alongside the voice of the Xinka people, as the necessary support has been lacking for some time now. We remind you all that this resistance was born from both the people and the Church, in defense of life and justice.

Today, from Casillas, the Xinka people declare that the resistance continues, and acknowledge the legitimate struggle of the communities. We invite those who have not yet become involved to join us in peaceful resistance. 

We thank the communities, organizations, brothers and sisters of other indigenous groups, and conscientious individuals from across the country and the world who have joined this cause in solidarity. 

“For life, land, and water, the resistance will continue”