Guatemalan church human rights official opposes U.S. military aid

Published: 2005-05-02

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A Catholic human rights official from Guatemala has opposed efforts to restore U.S. military aid to the Central American country. The army is still tied to corruption, its members are involved in summary executions and it is being used by the government to harass and repress anti-government demonstrators, said Nery Rodenas, executive director of the Human Rights Office of the Archdiocese of Guatemala City. "There is a climate of terror against Guatemalans. Violence is used to prevent freedom of expression," he said April 28 while in Washington to brief U.S. church officials. Earlier this year, the United States announced $3.2 million in military aid to Guatemala, ending a ban imposed in 1990 because of human rights issues. Bush administration officials have said they plan to ask Congress to approve further aid later this year. In February the Guatemala City archdiocesan human rights office joined several other Guatemalan human rights organizations in issuing a statement opposing the resumption of military aid.

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