Guatemala protests: corruption at every turn

i spent the day trying to run some errands.  there are roadblocks everywhere, most businesses are closed.

i talked to some friends and several more locals, which revealed/confirmed some disturbing facts.

but first some background... 

there is much unrest in Guatemala, and it started with good reason. there is currently an attempt by a corrupt attorney general (and others) to overturn a fair presidential election - that was won by a landslide. everyone knows that.  and it has led to protests all across the country.

but not many are talking about the corruption at the local level, spearheaded by local leaders. it's just as bad, if not worse, and it's hidden under the disguise of "representing the people."

locally they are called COCODE's (which is an acronym for something like "committee of community development"). basically they are committees of local men who are considered the leadership representing their specific village. in guatemala, an urban municipality (led by a mayor and his administration) can cover many small villages. sometimes 3, sometimes 30. and each village has a COCODE, whose job is to specifically represent their needs to the mayor.

i'm not arguing that all members of these committees are corrupt. but it's not uncommon for the COCODE's to take advantage of their people. for example, charging everyone in the village for water fees, road repairs, or other "maintenance fees", with no accountability whatsoever. it's common knowledge that the committee members pocket money off the people. COCODE's can also be helpful of course, speaking for their village and defending their interests to the mayor. and like i said, they're not all bad. but from what i hear, a lot of them are.

back to the current political crisis. it started with good intentions. but it's now been several weeks of roads blocked, and stores, businesses, and schools closed. most people can't do it any longer. they have families. they have bills. they need food. they have to get back to work. yet many of the COCODE's are forcing the local business to stay closed.

even worse, many of the COCODE's are forcing the members of their communities to participate in the protests and manifestations. literally making it mandatory for everyone in their village to take "shifts" in the demonstrations, and charging them hefty fines if they don't show up.

to put it plainly, if you don't protest, you pay. and those who can't join the protests because of work must pay as well. which means the folks who are already struggling the most due the roadblocks and store closures, are being hit doubly hard.

a local friend of mine said, "why do you think the COCODE's don't want the protests to end? because they're making a ton of money! and all the locals know it.  but they won't say anything because their COCODE will make their life miserable."

one figure i read estimated that 70-80% of the protestors are there out of obligation from their community leaders.

the irony, and hypocrisy, is incredible. 

the original protests started as a stance against corruption and abusive authority at the highest level.   

and yet, now its the local-level leaders of the protests who are corruptly abusing their authority.

pray for Guatemala. a beautiful country with beautiful people, and corruption at every turn.