the four dispossesssions

Dispossession: Historical Context and Current Issues

• Historical Displacement: The influx of Central American refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants to the U.S. over recent decades is deeply rooted in centuries of historical displacement, exacerbated by the actions of state-sponsored violence and systemic poverty. Policymakers often oversimplify the causes of migration by attributing it to poverty and violence, disregarding the complex structural inequalities at play.

• Extractivist Violence: The extraction of resources in Guatemala is described as part of a broader settler colonial context marked by invasion and violence. This invocation of violence against Indigenous communities highlights how extractivist industries perpetuate despojo (dispossession) of the Maya and other oppressed peoples, forming a cyclical narrative of colonization.

The Four Invasions

• Colonial Framework: The term "four invasions" comprises key historical events affecting the Ixil Maya—Spanish colonization, the emergence of a plantation economy in the late 19th century, state-sponsored genocide during the civil war, and contemporary neocolonial extractivist practices.

• Resistance and Identity: This framework also emphasizes the ongoing resistance narratives of the Maya, asserting their agency and refusal to be seen merely as victims of history.

• Research and Activism: Scholars and Indigenous leaders argue that ongoing state support for megaprojects represents an undeclared extractivist war against Indigenous lived experiences and territorial rights.

Modern Displacements and Activism

• Consequences of Extractivism: A quote from an Ixil Maya activist reveals the historical dispossession of their lands resulting in multiple layers of dispossession. Lands have been appropriated for state use and for transnational corporations, forcing the Ixil to migrate in search of new opportunities or to escape repression.

• Authoritarian Trends: Recent political violence, including the heavy-handed state response to protests, contributes to fears of a return to authoritarian rule, despite the rhetoric of development surrounding megaprojects.

Case Study: Palo Viejo Hydroelectric Plant

• Failed Promises: The Palo Viejo Hydro Plant, touted as a development solution, reflects continued struggles rather than benefits for local communities. Environmental degradation has increased alongside migration, undermining claims of progress.

• Economic Disparity: The revenue generated from the plant benefits foreign corporations more than the local populace, with a stark contrast shown by the lack of access to basic amenities like electricity.

• Community Voices: Local authorities stress the environmental ruin caused by the hydroelectric project, comparing the altered state of the river to physical trauma, indicating a disconnection from their natural resources.

Consequences of Migration

• Financial Burdens: The escalating costs of migration, influenced by remittance inflows, foster a cycle of debt and land dispossession among families, creating increased land inequality in Guatemala.

• Rising Land Prices: The influx of remittances has drastically raised land prices, forcing those who remain to either migrate for better economic conditions or risk losing what little land they possess. This exacerbates the already existing wealth gap in agricultural holdings.

Structural Inequalities and Resistance

• Extractivist Policies: Modern extractivist projects continue to perpetuate violence against land defenders and community leaders in Guatemala, forcing many to seek refuge abroad. The land remains a site of conflict, with megaprojects stifling rather than nurturing sustainable development.

• Ongoing Resistance: The Maya Peoples' resistance against dispossession and their struggle for an equitable future remain central themes in the narrative, emphasizing a commitment to challenging these neocolonial conditions.

• Conclusion: The presentation of these ongoing struggles against extractivist violence illustrates the pressing need to acknowledge historical injustices while supporting contemporary Indigenous rights and land claims.