A Country Wanting to Heal, But Still Fighting Corruption, Food Shortage, Election Violence, & Drug Cartels By Chelsea Perry

Describe the country according to its geography, its import and export industries, and the socio- economic status. For example, with the latter point, what is the division between classes of people? Is there an overwhelming separation between the high and low classes? Is there even a middle class? Where does the balance of power rest?

Guatemalan Children & Adults in Need “Francisco Fion says that Guatemala has the 4 th highest rate of malnutrition for children in the world. He goes on to say that half of the population in his country, Guatemala, live on less than two dollars a day, or seven quezales. He goes to see what he can buy for this in the central market of San Agustin.“ May 31,

Describe the reason for the turmoil and the specific players involved. What are the opposing political ideologies? How have the individual leaders come to power and who are their supporters?

In what way has the turmoil taken its toll on the geography and the people?

Difficult To Heal With Corruption In Elected Officials Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo has been charged with several counts of money laundering, conspiracy, and embezzling money. Portillo is also charge in New York federal court for embezzling $1.5 million that Taiwan donated for Guatemalan children’s schoolbooks. On January 26 th, 2010, he was arrested by request of the United States for extradition. When all is said and done, it is hard for a country to heal old wounds when new ones are still being formed. The current government is sending the clear message that corruption will not be tolerated and no one is above the law.

A Fatal Election Climate: At Least 30 Candidates Murdered, May 2011 “Election violence in Guatemala has killed at least 30 people this year, political parties have denounced death threats against candidates. “ This further shows that regardless of Guatemala’s current hopes of banishing drug cartel violence, that the country is still incapable of holding peaceful elections due to the increased involvement of Mexican cartels.

Guatemala Wishes to End Election Violence “Guatemala will hold a run-off between it's two remaining presidential candidates on Sunday. Both candidates, have made tackling crime a major issue in their campaigns. It is a message that has appealed to voters in a country with one of the highest murder rates in the world. Al Jazeera's Adam Raney reports from Guatemala City.”

Fighting to Keep Crime Bosses Out of Elections “Guatemala is to hold a presidential election in September, and the issues confronting candidates are enormous. Extreme poverty, child malnutrition and corruption continue to be huge challenges. But narco-trafficking groups and organized crime are threatening to become the country's new bosses.”

When did the conflict begin and how long has it gone on?

The Effect of the Drug Wars: Violence and Fear According to this video from the Associated Press, in May 17 of 2011, Guatemala had to declare certain regions a “State of Emergency” due to 27 slayings on a cattle ranch carried out by Mexican drug cartels, further illustrating that though some of the Civil War might be over, the War on Drugs is sadly far from being finished.

“Guatemalan Drug Gangs & Me” "Someone has to do something for Guatemala. The government doesn't do anything," says a Guatemalan resident Reason.tv calls "Miguel.“ In the past few years, the drug war has resulted in more than 40,000 deaths in Mexico and the situation in Guatemala is just as bleak. Last year alone, 5,000 people died in drug-war-related incidents. Corrupt police do little to protect Guatemalans, and Guatemala's corrupt court system convicts only 5 percent of arrested criminals. Not all crime in Guatemala is committed by drug gangs, but there is no aspect of life in the country that has not been made far worse by prohibition and the black markets and violence such a policy inevitably creates.

Some Guatemalan’s Blame the U.S. for their Drug Violence "I blame the war on drugs in the United States for what is happening here in Guatemala." --Giancarlo Ibarguen, President of the Universidad Francisco Marroquin.

Drug War: Discussion with Giancarlo Ibarguen “Most of the cocaine shipped north from Central and South America these days travels through Guatemala and into Mexico before eventually crossing the border to the United States. The value of that cocaine, even before it enters the US market, is approximately $40 billion a year. That's nearly the size of Guatemala's entire economy. The drug cartels in Guatemala act with impunity and effectively control much of the country. As Guatemala's President Alvaro Colom recently told Al Jazeera, "The drug traffickers are much better armed and financed than our military and our government." Guatemala, as a result, has become a very dangerous place to live. What's the solution? According to Giancarlo Ibarguen, president of the Universidad Francisco Marroquin, the US government should end its war on drugs.”

Has a third party become involved (United Nations), and what influence, if any, have they been able to exercise?

Are any super powers supporting one side or the other?

Is there a resolution in sight?

Overall, provide sufficient background information and key details regarding the conflict so that the paper is very thorough and leaves no question regarding the turmoil.