· December, 2008

Stories about Guatemala from December, 2008

Burning the Year Away: New Year Traditions

  30 December 2008

In many South American countries, it has become a tradition to burn human shaped representations of the previous year, as a way to get rid of everything bad that the year brought, and leave way for the new. The following videos show some of these traditions and some of the controversy soome of them have sparked.

Guatemala: Violence Continues 12 Years After Peace Accords

  29 December 2008

Today marks the 12th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Accords that put an end to 36 years of Civil War in Guatemala. In spite of the agreement and an international commission to oversee the process, violence and lawlessness continue to be a part of daily life in the country.

Guatemala: Mincemeat Pie

  24 December 2008

Christmas in Guatemala often means celebrating with food. Luis Figueroa of Carpe Diem [es] is especially fond of the dessert “Mincemeat pie.“

Guatemala: Farewell to Chepe Zarco

  18 December 2008

José Eduardo Zarco aka Chepe, director of the Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre recently passed away. Luis Figueroa of Carpe Diem [es] fondly remembers the man, who published Figueroa's first column in the newspaper.

Guatemala: Favorite Books of 2008

  17 December 2008

Ronald Flores continues his tradition of naming his favorite Guatemalan books of the year and publishes a list of four books that he especially enjoyed in 2008 [es].

Guatemala: Stricter Gun Laws and Narcotrafficking Groups

  3 December 2008

Luis Figueroa of Carpe Diem [es] writes about recent shootouts between narcotrafficking group sin Huehuetenango, Guatemala. He also looks at some of the arguments for more stricter gun control laws, but says that they would not prevent such crimes.

Guatemala: The Negative Side to Falling Gas Prices

  3 December 2008

The failing gasoline prices in Guatemala means that fuel is more affordable for more people, however, there are also some negative aspects to the lower prices, as Mr. Man of Arte [es] writes, such as that there will be more vehicles on the streets and highways.

Central America: Women, Technology and Education

  1 December 2008

Central American women are "taking back the tech" by blogging about software developement, new ICT technologies, and how to integrate ICTs with their daily life. They are also making a difference by blogging about important issues to women and by creating a network for others.

Guatemala: Typical Food at the Stand of Doña Mela

  1 December 2008

If one wanted to eat some typical food in Guatemala, where would you go? Guate 360 [es] would recommend the stand of Doña Mela, located in the Central Market, who has been serving delicious meals for the past 50 years.