The United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA)

In 1994, the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria National Guatemalteca (URNG)) agreed to resume negotiations to end the longest conflict in Latin America. In September 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided to establish a Human Rights Verification Mission in Guatemala acting on a recommendation by the Secretary-General that such a mission could make a contribution to a persisting pattern of human rights abuse.

Since November 1994, the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) has been carrying out verification activities and institution-building throughout the country. On December 4, 1996 the Government of Guatemala and the URNG signed a definitive ceasefire agreement which formally ended hostilities, separated forces, and brought about demobilization of URNG combatants in assembly points specifically prepared for this purpose.

The following are photos taken of one such demobilization process where members of the URNG received certificates to reintegrate them into Guatemalan civilian life.

Note: Click on any image below for a larger JPEG image.

Demobilization


Members of the URNG receiving their certificates after completing a demobilization process, where they have obtained skills which will help their transition to a civilian life.(UN/DPI Photo # 187630C by John Olsson)


Members of the URNG waiting to receive certificates after completing a demobilization process.(UN/DPI Photo # 187623C by John Olsson)




General Jose Rodriguez Rodriquez, Chief Military Observer, MINUGUA, presenting a URNG member his certificate of completion of the demobilization process during closing ceremonies at Finca Sacol. (UN/DPI Photo # 187626C by John Olsson)




Finca Sacol cowboys arrive on horseback to attend the closing ceremonies of the demobilization process on their ranch.(UN/DPI Photo # 187627C by John Olsson)




Major Walter Watkins (second from bottom left) supervises the loading of mortar rounds which will be taken to a site at Vepepbalan, a locale which the URNG has selected to destroy the ammunition. (UN/DPI Photo # 187625C by John Olsson)




A stockpile of ammunition which was turned in by the URNG at Tzabal base camp. (UN/DPI Photo # 187629C by John Olsson)


Guatemala's People and Environment



A young girl in Tzabal stands in front of firewood which will be taken to other villages and sold. The over-consumption of firewood, which is primarily used as fuel for cooking, has been a principal contributor to the depletion of the Guatemalan ecosystem. (UN/DPI Photo # 187617C by John Olsson)




Soil erosion and deforestation are contributing factors to the depletion of the Guatemalan ecosystem which is evident from these aerial views of mountains in the Quiche Providence. (UN/DPI Photo # 187621C by John Olsson)




Traditional indigenous attire of a Mayan woman from the Quiche region of Guatemala. (UN/DPI Photo # 187631C by John Olsson)

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