In Guatemala, many indigenous and peasant communities live in situations of repression and criminalization due to their peaceful opposition to mega hydroelectric projects, which are often carried out without consulting the affected communities (as established in ILO Convention 169) and without taking into account standards of environmental sustainability and respect for human rights. These projects, despite being presented as a sign of development and clean energy, are seen by the affected communities as a direct threat to the territory in which they live, to their way of life and to their very existence as people.

In the last decade, Protection International has followed and monitored the criminalization process of several communities affected by hydroelectric megaprojects in Guatemala. This report is based on field investigations carried out between 2016 and 2017, studying the organizational processes of several communities to confront hydroelectric megaprojects in Guatemala. The report summarizes the main points and conclusions of this field investigation, identifying the factors that give rise to the process of stigmatization and criminalization of human rights defenders who oppose mega hydroelectric projects in Guatemala.