Ramiro Choc

Ramiro Choc is a Guatemalan Mayan (Q'eqchi') agrarian leader of the town of Livingston, in Izabal Department. He is a member of the "Coordinadora Nacional Indígena y Campesina" ("National Indigenous and Peasant Coordination" or CONIC). [cite web |url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR34/030/1998/c2b64a6d-b5a5-11dc-a84c-d5c747e827a7/amr340301998en.html |title=Guatemala: Fear for Safety |date=1998-20-28 |accessdate=2008-03-15 |publisher=Amnesty International]

Choc was arrested on 14 February 2008 on charges of land invasion, robbery, and holding people against their will. On 21 February, supporters of Choc took 19 policemen hostage, demanding his release. After more than 24 hours the hostages were released unharmed, and talks were begun over Choc's release. [cite news |title=Farmers release police hostages in Guatemala row |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN22609898 |publisher=Reuters |date=2008-02-22 |accessdate=2008-03-15] On 14 March, the same group took four Belgian tourists and their two Guatemalan guides hostage, again demanding Choc's release. [cite news |title=Guatemala farmers take four Belgian tourists hostage |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN14430203 |publisher=Reuters |date=2008-03-14 |accessdate=2008-03-15] The Belgians were released on 16 March. [cite news |first=Juan Carlos |last=Llorca |title=Official: 4 Belgians Freed in Guatemala |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j5IF00IUQOc7gWEvVePdyWwhyBMQD8VECGG80 |publisher=The Associated Press |date=2008-03-16 |accessdate=2008-03-16]

References

External links

* [http://www.cnoc.org.gt/conic.html Coordinadora Nacional Indígena y Campesina]