Everyday I try to read the local newspaper, where ever I am in whatever language. Also in Guatemala. My Spanish has much improved during the years. Yesterday I was shocked reading one of the local papers, the Periódico…
What is going on in Guatemala?
It is hard to see for an outsider, specially in the beginning. Of course I’ve heard of violence and the growing concern about it. But that is common in the world. Nowadays everybody is getting more concerned about security, worldwide.
I couldn’t believe what I read.
The second page of the paper
and the tiny apple pie graph on the bottom of the third page.
4000 violent deaths in the first six months of 2006 in Guatemala
That is close to 24 persons a day, every day of the week. In a country with 12 million inhabitants.
I don’t want to compare it with Iraq or Afghanistan, but figures of people killed in those countries you see every day. There it disrupt public life. Here in Guatemala, if you are not part of the family or friends of the victims, you don’t realize it. Specially not as a foreigner.
24 people a day killed by violence. Every day of the year.
I realize I don’t understand very much of this society. This is beyond my comprehension.
Only 5% of the cases get solved.
