General Rios Montt whose human rights record after he seized power in Guatemala in 1982 was truly appalling. It had been hoped that since 1999 the chances of a growing and genuine democracy in that country was going to be good. Since Rios Montt announced his desire to return to

Brett Sheppard recently made a special study of Central American indigenous communities in the context of the Indigenous Community Integrated Ecosystems Management (GEF) Project of the World Bank, and notes the importance of both cultural as well as biodiversity.

El Salvador and the power of democratic change Author: Ross Ryan Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 03/23/2009   The recent election in El Salvador is an example of those relatively rare times when substantial change in the direction and philosophy of government is achieved through peaceful democratic

Whether or not the present Honduran interim government will be fully recognized by the international community remains to be seen. For the time being, however, states must still decide when and how to conduct relations with the military-appointed government, balancing concerns for pressing international issues with the expected validity and

Victor Valle prefaces his Central American Diary with an historical summary

María Emilia Solórzano Alfaro: Autora Intelectual de la abolición de la pena de muerte en Costa Rica Author: Ronald Castro Fernández Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on 07/16/2009 El 18 de julio de 2009 se cumplirán 95 años del paso hacia la eternidad de Doña María Emilia Solórzano

Rogelio Fernández Güell: Un Quijote costarricense, homenaje a los 91 años de su asesinato Author: Ronald Castro Fernández Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 05/08/2009 Category: Comment El pasado 15 de marzo se cumplieron 91 años del asesinato del Ingenioso Costarricense Don Rogelio Fernández Güell en Buenos Aires

La Carpio is a poor community in Costa Rica, nestled against a wealthy enclave of North American and European ex-patriots. Lynn Schneider takes a sobering look at the discrimination and inequalities faced by residents of La Carpio, demonstrating that cultural and structural violence are deeply ingrained, even in a country

Que Dicha Author: Maggie Schwalbach Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 06/02/2008 Category: Diaries Sometimes, just when you least expect it, life hits you over the head with wonder. This week is one of those times. Monday: I drop my laptop. It falls to the floor, and the

Jessica Barran reports on the Crucitas gold mine roundtable, recently held on UPEACE campus. Representatives from Industrias Infinito, the Costa Rican government, two environmental NGOs (FECON and AIDA), and the University of Costa Rica, were all given a chance to clarify their positions and field questions on this controversial issue.