State of siege in Guatemala mining area axed by congress

A state of siege imposed in a key mining area of Guatemala has been scrapped by congress.

President Alejandro Giammattei ordered a 30-day state of siege across five municipalities earlier in July, including El Estor in Izabal department, where Solway Investment Group’s Fénix nickel mine is located.

The move was in response to violence and attacks on security forces, possibly at the instigation of organized criminal groups.

But the state of siege has been dropped after failing to win support in congress, local daily Prensa Libre reported.

Local indigenous community leader Daniel Pascual told AFP previously that the siege state was imposed in response to community opposition to the Fénix mine, hydroelectric plants and African palm plantations, rather than the actions of criminal groups.

The Fénix mine has been suspended due to a ruling by the constitutional court, which ordered a consultation with indigenous communities in order for its operating license to be restored.