Guatemala

Country Page: Guatemala

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Wikispace Assignment # 2
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Insert "horizontal lines" to separate individual student work
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Begin Here:


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=Wikispace Assignment 1 (Module 1), Begin Here: = Insert "horizontal lines" to separate individual student work.

Hundreds in Peru Balk at Relocation From Site of Mine
William Neuman New York Times []

This news piece is about a small town in Peru called Morococha that is being relocated by a Chinese firm who specializes in the production of aluminum. This firm, called Chinalco, plans on turning the old city in to an open pit copper mine. They built an entirely new town for the residents just six miles away, using clean water, updated buildings and roads, and cold hard cash as means to lure them away. While most have jumped at the opportunity of a reliable job and a more modern setting that Cinalco has offered, there have been few traditionalists who have fought against the move. They prefer the way of the old Morococha since it is all they, as well as their families before them, have ever known. I chose this article because I thought it was pretty interesting how a big corporation can come in and use their money to bully people out of their homes. Unfortunately, It seems as if nothing can be done for the few remaining residents of Morococha as they are slowly losing all their neighbors. I can't imagine this being a good long term deal for the people of Morococha. Big firms like this only look at ways they can make money, and as mentioned in the video the mine should produce copper for around 36 years. That makes me wonder what will happen to the new city 40 years from now once all the mining potential is gone. -Bobby Seeback



This article describes the pro-democratic rallies that have been taking place in Venezuela. Their president has not been seen or heard from in nearly six weeks. Citizens are upset because he missed his inauguration on January 10thfor the 2012 election. President [|Hugo Chavez]has been out of the country for a surgery on an undisclosed cancer removal. In December it had been reported that there were complications with the surgery, but the vice president has assured that Mr. Chavez is “gaining strength.” It has not been officially reported on when the President of Venezuela will return. I chose this article because I found it interesting. It made me wonder what would happen in the United States if our President became suddenly ill and missed his inauguration. This is currently what the Venezuelan Supreme Court is dealing with, the legality of the situation.

=[|Europe's Emigrants Face Red Tape in Latin America]= By EVA VERGARA Associated Press SANTIAGO, Chile January 26, 2013 (AP) http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/europes-emigrants-face-red-tape-latin-america-18321166

This article explores the current immigration issues some countries in Latin America are facing. Many Americans view immigration as a problem unique to the United States; however, many countries in Latin America also find themselves dealing with this issue. As the economies in Europe (especially Spain and Portugal) continue to struggle, many Europeans are immigrating to Latin American countries, like Chile, Brazil, and Argentina, in hopes of finding better opportunities for employment. Although many Latin American economies are doing well with the prospect for continued growth very optimistic and with a need for skilled workers, many emigrating from Europe are finding it nearly impossible to work through all the red tape and find employment legally. There are hopes that Latin American and European countries will come to together and find a way to simplify the process to acquire work visas and ease the transition for immigrants. The immigration issues faced by these Latin American countries are not all the different from the ones we face in the United States. - Kaytie Tobias

=**Tourists Damage Mayan Ruins in Guatemala**=

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/maya/9764209/Mayan-temple-damaged-in-tourist-apocalypse-frenzy.html

This article I found interesting because I have long wanted to visit Guatemala and explore the old Mayan cities hidden in the jungles. As we all know, the myth of 2012 being the last year before the world ends has for years been hyped by videos on YouTube and the stupid people who post them. The Guatemalan government however, did not pass up the chance to capitalize on this hype and thus hosted symbolic indigenous rituals at the ruins of Tikal. The festivities attracted 7,000 tourists to the site, inserting millions of dollars into the economy. But was it worth it? Apparently, some people either purposely or accidentally have damaged the site. These damages are reported to be irreparable, but what was damaged and to what extent has not been disclosed. So in the end, officials in the Guatemalan government are probably asking themselves "Was it worth it?". Tourists are not allowed to enter, clime or much less touch any for the Egyptian pyramids and for good reason. Perhaps those that think it was worth it are saying "Well, atleast the damage wasn't as bad as that of the first wave of international 'visitors'."

-- Ismael Charrouf