Nisgua: Nueva Linda news

Here's an urgent news bulletin sent out by NISGUA concerning the Nueva Linda cattle ranch in Camperico, Guatemala... the scene of an ongoing conflict between the campesino workers and the ranch's brutal owners.

Dear NISGUA friends,

We had news today that 4 people from the community at the Finca Nueva Linda have been wounded by the private security forces of the finca owners.

There has been a lot of tension at Nueva Linda since the disappearance of local leader Héctor Reyes two years ago. The Fernández family that owns the Finca Nueva Linda is believed to be behind the disappearance, and since that time local campesinos have been occupying the finca to pressure for an investigation.

Since last night there was high tension at Nueva Linda, amongst reports that the private security forces of the finca had tried to poison the community's water supply. Today, the private security forces opened fire on those occupying the finca, wounding Roberto Gonzalez, Macario Gomez, Bernardo Guillén and one other unidentified person. Police later arrived at the scene but did not make any arrests. We have been busy today calling the Guatemalan and U.S. government to express our concern, and will let you know further details of the incident soon.

Andrew de Sousa, NISGUA

Tags: Guatemala, Champerico, Nueva Linda, NISGUA, Finca