What happened in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa in 1980?
In February 1980, the southern coastal town of Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa in Guatemala witnessed a remarkable event. Over 80,000 migrant farm workers took a stand, demanding better living conditions and higher wages during the historic ‘Great sugarcane strike’ (La gran huelga cañera).
Despite the government agreeing to a small wage increase, landowners opposed and unleashed brutal repression against community leaders and supporters. Tragedy unfolded, with at least 100 victims disappearing or found dead. Local movements were crushed and never resurfaced, fearing retribution from the army and landowners.
Among the victims were religious missionaries who supported the workers, including Flemish priest Walter Voordeckers.
When did survivors and victims’ families take the case to court, and why?
In 2018, nearly 40 years later, families of the victims came together to end the silence, and seek truth. Based on evidence collected, and supported by international attention (including Pope Francis), the surviving relatives demanded justice from the Guatemalan State via the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
Survivors and victims’ families have three key demands:
- Locate the remains of the missing victims to provide them with a proper burial
- Hold those responsible for the violations accountable and deliver justice
- Create a situation where farmworkers can demand improved working conditions and labour rights without fearing violence
