Guatemala: Paradise Lost

Radio Télévision Suisse | 15min
Postproduction script

00:00:04,650 VO: -In the tropical forest of Guatemala, the wild has given birth to a unique ecosystem. The region of lake Izabal is a fragile paradise, cursed by the richness of its subsoil. The Russian-Swiss company Solway owns one of the world's largest nickel mines. In its promotional videos, it claims the highest standards of sustainability. Our research reveals another reality. Let's have a look at the ecological impact of a Russian-Swiss multinational.

0’26 Promotional video – Solway (subsidiaries CGN/Pronico)

0’55 Title – Guatemala: Paradise Lost

00:01:01,220 VO: Our investigation begins in Guatemala City, capital of one of the poorest and most violent countries in Central America. We have an appointment with a local journalist who accuses Solway of pollution. He fears for his safety after anonymous threats. Carlos Choc lives in hiding, far from his family.

00:01:27,272 Carlos Choc: -As a Maya Q'eqchi journalist, the protection of the environment is important to me. As well as the respect human rights. The Q'eqchi people claim their right of soil regarding the open-pit mining which has caused damage such as deforestation. It endangers wildlife, endangered animals, and pollutes the Izabal lake.

1’33 Carlos Choc, Journalist, Community Press

00:02:06,315 VO: -Carlos Choc is under judicial procedure and is facing jail time for allegedly participating in a violent demonstration, while on duty. This was in 2017. A protest against the Russian-Swiss mine went wrong.

2’22 Video: Carlos Choc, Community Press, 2017

00:02:26,540 Man on video: -Finally, they can find out about the situation that the situation that is being experienced.

00:02:32,245 VO: -A man was killed in front of Carlos's camera.

00:02:45,940 Carlos: -Here we can observe how the policeman shot at us. Carlos Maas fell. When I see these images again, I tell myself I am lucky to be alive, and to be able to tell what happened. I remember that the bullet from the rifle passed very close to me. I heard the sound of the bullet, really close.

00:03:22,731 VO: -This man was a fisherman, he was killed while protesting for ending the pollution of the lake.

00:03:29,708 Carlos: -Witnesses saw red water coming out of the canal of the factory. The pollution came from the mine. At that time, we noticed these leaks and air pollution. The chimneys from the nickel processing plant were emitting red smoke. As a journalist, when you see that and gather testimonies from people, that's evidence that makes you draw the appropriate conclusions.

00:04:04,289 VO: -For Solway and the Guatemalan authorities, these deductions are wrong. They say a parasitic algae is be the reason for the contamination of the lake. For his safety, Carlos Choc had to stop his research. We continued his investigation with Forbidden Stories, a group of journalists that helps out threatened colleagues. Forbidden Stories has obtained internal Solway documents. A report confirms Carlos Choc's suspicions. The mine talks about a contamination zone. This document was not intended for the public; the details are overwhelming.

00:04:46,117 Document: -These sediments present in the lake expose us to penal sanctions and to more frequent environmental controls Our corporate image could be impacted as a result of this.

00:04:58,380 VO: -A video filmed by mine employees accompanies this report. It shows the extent of the contamination, while Solway is still denying publicly any responsibility.

5’04 Video: CGN/Pronico (Solway), 2018

00:05:17,520 VO: We're now heading for Lake Izabal, 100 km away. A fisherman agreed to take us to the contaminated areas. Eduardo Bin is a founding member of the Gremial de Pescadores. He has been in prison for protesting against the mine.

00:05:50,407 Eduardo Bin: -This water goes to the mine. All tailings go into Lake Izabal. This is how our village has been contaminated.

6’00 Eduardo Bin, Fisherman, founding member of Fishermen’s Guild

00:06:07,507 VO: -The waters of the lake have lost their red color, but the consequences are still there.

00:06:13,701 Eduardo: -The problem is, is that the fish are sick. They have pustules, bubbles under the scales. Many have these pustules. It's mostly on the mojarra, also called the chombimba in the region.

00:06:36,002 VO: -The mine disputes any pollution of the lake. It claims to be operating in accordance with the law, and it explains that it is controlled by the authorities, audits, and adequate certification authorities. Fish is scarce and people people are reluctant to buy it, for fear of poisoning themselves.

00:07:00,941 Eduardo: -We don't feel weak. We belong to different communities. But the Guatemalan authorities criminalize people fighting for their rights. The authorities are more in favor of the companies than of indigenous people. We just demand respect for the laws.

00:07:30,662 VO: -The economic weight of the mine is important. It is the biggest employer in the region. More than 3,000 people work for CGN-Pronico, subsidiaries of Solway. The native residents also blame the company for extracting ore in prohibited areas. Satellite images show suspicious deforestation. This forest has been protected since 2019. A temporary decision which was obtained after a long struggle by the local communities.

7’59 Observatorio de Industrias Extractivas (OIE) – Planet, Satellite images, 2019-2021

00:08:11,620 VO: Let's head for the site. The area is dangerous; armed militias and criminal groups are present. The place is nicknamed 'the hill of white bones' because of unexplained disappearances. A farmer accompanies us, his face is blurred for safety reasons.

00:08:36,860 Reporter: -We are in this area. When did they do the work?

00:08:42,820 Farmer: -About a year ago. In 2020. They dug out the earth for the mine. They were everywhere. All of them everywhere.

00:09:08,500 Reporter: -Gracias.

00:09:15,142 Farmer: -They asked permission for a hundred meters, but they went further.

00:09:28,611 VO: -Armed men have stopped a few meters away from our car.

00:09:34,743 Assistant: -He is taking pictures.

00:09:35,940 Reporter: -I know, give him a smile. Let's go, let's go, vamos.

00:09:44,445 VO: -We try to leave. The vehicle is stopped. We hide the camera.

00:09:54,455 Man: -Why are you here?

00:09:56,255 Reporter: -For personal reasons.

Man: -What is your mission here?

Reporter: -We're Swiss.

Man: -Ah, Swiss people!

00:10:03,218 VO: -We come from Switzerland, like the owners of the mine. They seem convinced. The bikers clear the way, we can relax. According to the official communication from Solway, the exploitation of these areas is legal because of a date detail.

00:10:37,060 Document: -Solway respects and applies the decision of Guatemala's constitutional ruling from July 2019. Solway has immediately stopped the mining operations from the Fenix project after receiving the official notification to do so in July 2021.

00:10:52,220 VO: -For two years, the exploitation of these protected areas has continued while waiting for the official mail. For the indigenous communities, this case illustrates the inequality of the struggle. Among the most active activists, Isabel Solis is a key figure. She is the head of the Guatemalan Commission on Human Rights.

00:11:26,181 Isabel Solis: -The company has not stopped its activities. On the contrary, during this period, it has increased its production and destroyed more mountains. This company has announced record profit increases. That's what we're concerned about. Because of the repression in the region, the wealth of the company has increased. What do Swiss citizens think about this? Switzerland must do something, it's a country of human rights.

11’37 Isabel Solis, Director, Guatemala Commission of Human Rights

00:12:10,134 VO: -Isabel Solis has asked the Swiss ambassador for help.

00:12:15,009 Isabel: -We are not satisfied and are concerned. The ambassador's speech is clearly in favour of the mine. We did not see any difference between the mine's speech and the ambassador's words.

00:12:35,515 VO: -In Guatemala, the ambassador knows the case. Hans-Ruedi Bortis met with local local communities and Solway.

00:12:48,235 Reporter: -As an ambassador, are you an advocate for the company, or do you have a duty to protect the local people?

00:12:56,582 Hans-Ruedi: -On the one hand, there is a bilateral agreement mutual investment and protection. On the other hand, there is the priority of our foreign policy for the respect of human rights and the environment. The Confederation met with Solway in Zug.

13’01 Hans-Ruedi Bortis, Swiss ambassador to Guatemala

00:13:24,588 VO: -A confidential report from Solway summarizes these discussions. This document, which was leaked, is surprising. Apparently, Solway did not understand the ambassador's priorities.

00:13:37,887 Hans-Ruedi: -The Foreign Affairs department support us. They simply informed us of complaints filed by human right activists. The DFAE has not requested an internal investigation; we can act accordingly or do nothing.

00:13:50,060 Reporter: -We have information, in the company, that Switzerland is not putting much pressure on corruption. No question about corruption or pollution. Switzerland is in favour of the mine and so much the worse for the locals?

00:14:06,074 Hans-Ruedi: -No, our priorities are linked to the respect of human rights and the environment. A solution must be found for this conflict.

00:14:22,157 VO: -On the ground, the situation has not improved. In early 2022, the mine obtained from the government permission to lift restrictions on logging several forest areas.