20 May 2025, 11:39am EDT

Xinka Women Tour Vancouver and Victoria to Urge Respect for Indigenous Self-Determination in Guatemala

Pan American Silver Tahoe Resources Guatemala Indigenous Rights
Source:
MiningWatch Canada, Institute of Policy Studies, Earthworks

Media Advisory: Xinka Delegation Upcoming Events

WHAT:  From May 26 to May 30, two Xinka women leaders will visit Vancouver and Victoria to raise awareness about their struggle for self-determination and the health of their communities. They will speak to their concerns about Vancouver-based Pan American Silver’s Escobal silver mine in southern Guatemala. They will share the challenges they have faced during a court-ordered consultation process with the Guatemalan government, and their hopes for the future. 

These visiting leaders will also join with partners in Canada to call on Pan American Silver and Canadian authorities to ensure respect for Xinka self-determination in accord with the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Both are women human rights defenders who were named by their communities to participate in the consultation.

A historic, seven-year consultation process with the Xinka Indigenous People over the future of the mine is entering its final stages now that the Xinka have announced their unequivocal refusal to consent to the mine’s reopening. The court-ordered process has faced numerous obstacles, including the co-optation of the country’s justice system, harassment, threats, and attacks against Xinka leaders and community members. 

The Escobal mine, originally owned by Tahoe Resources, was forced into production in early 2014 using violent repression by private security, police and military, as well as a campaign to defame and criminalize community leaders. Several members of the resistance, including 16-year-old Topacio Reynoso, were murdered during this time. A shooting attack by the company’s security on peaceful protesters outside the mine in 2013 led to a civil lawsuit against the company in British Columbia courts. Pan American Silver settled the case with the Guatemalan plaintiffs in 2019, but the larger conflict over the future of the mine continues. 

WHEN: May 26th - May 30th 2025

Wednesday May 28 at 10am Pacific / 1pm EDT 

  • Press conference with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs

  • Suite 401-312 Main St., Vancouver

  • Hybrid event available online: register here.

Wednesday May 28 at 7pm 

  • Public event at Grandview Baptist Church is 1803 E. 1st Ave (just off Commercial Drive), Vancouver

  • Free - details and RSVP/tickets here. 

Friday May 30 at 7pm (doors open) & 7:30pm (event begins)

  • Public event at Little Ferwood, Fernwood Community Association, 1923 Fernwood Road, Victoria

WHO: Two Indigenous Xinka women human rights defenders who were named by their communities to participate in the consultation.

This delegation is endorsed by the Mining Justice Alliance, MiningWatch Canada, Café Justicia, BC Casa, CoDevelopment Canada, KAIROS - BC/Yukon: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, the UBC Latin American Studies Program, the Latin America Network Student Association (LANSA), Victoria Peace Coalition, Victoria Central America Support Committee, the UVIC Environmental Law Club, the Americas Policy Group (APG), Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network, Mining Injustice Solidarity Network (MISN), Earthworks, and the Institute for Policy Studies - Global Economy Program

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