Guatemala jails ex-paramilitaries for 40 years over rapes during civil war
Al JazeeraMAY 21
Guatemala Jails Ex-Paramilitaries For 40 Years Over Wartime Rapes
Above: Simeón Enriquez (L) and Pedro Sánchez at the courtroom in Guatemala City on May 30, 2025. Image copyright: Johan Ordóñez/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The systematic use of sexual violence was a deliberate military strategy designed to destroy Indigenous communities during Guatemala's civil war. The brutal acts were intended to create mistrust, tear apart families, and demolish the social fabric. These convictions represent a crucial step in acknowledging state-sponsored violence against Indigenous peoples and establishing accountability for historical injustices.
Narrative B
It's a matter of fact that these women are victims who deserve justice for what happened to them, but there's no justice if those imprisoned are not the actual perpetrators. As the defendants maintain their complete innocence, it would be wise to wait for their appeals to be heard before drawing definitive conclusions about the men.