6 ReviewsThere will be tour guides wandering the parque, but they will ask for money to take you up to the cross. The tourismo police escort tourists for free 10am/3pm each day. Or better yet, walk up there...
This is the title of an excellently researched and clearly written report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in May of 2007. The report analyzes criminal activity in Central America, how it grows, what nourishes it and why it is so difficult to control.The footnotes alone are worth the read- especially for anyone who has commercial interests in the region.PDF DOWNLOAD 2 MBMore recent are reports by the UN and AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (www.amnesty.org) about continuing human rights crimes against women and indigenous populations.
GUATEMALA CITY (IN MY OPINION)
by vaticanus
I'm going to go out on a limb and say I like Guatemala City and enjoy its many cultural institutions as well as exploring the different "zonas". It's a friendly town with a lot of helpful people.Drop by the modern Municipal Building (in the Civic Center) and you'll find order, promptness, courtesy, efficiency- the city is run by Alvaro Arzu- he's a first rate administrator. He used to be president (96-00)- got a bad rap from the human rights people- and is blamed for selling off state assets under a policy called neo-liberalism.The "structural" problem with security in Guatemala City is that it does not have its own municipal police force.In Guatemala the police are nationalized as the PNC. Not so long ago, in the opinion of nearly all Guatemalans, they were regarded as mismanaged, lazy and destructive of equipment. There were piles of police vehicles made useless for lack of basic...
FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TRAVEL SITE
by vaticanus
This is an alternative to the US advisory I have on my Guatemala Page. Information is updated regularly and it is effective at instilling a sober sense of caution and preparedness. I use a risk/reward model. Is the benefit worth the risk. Is it worth ducking down an alley at night to save time.
TOURIST POLICE ASISTUR
by vaticanus
If the police are not available, call the Guatemalan office of Assistance to Tourists ASISTUR. Even if the police are available, call them anyway24 hours per day, 7 days per week. ASISTUR has three phone numbers: 1500, 2421-2810, and 5578-9836. Always contact your embassy if there is any trouble. In the old days if you were a US citizen this was a joke - but things have changed a lot at the US embassy which is definitely under new management.
CRIME STATISTICS GUATEMALA UPDATE MARCH 2013
by vaticanus
GUATEMALA'S VIOLENT DEATH RATE DECLINES SIXTH YEAR IN A ROW.The government says lowest in SIX years but my figures say two, Still it is welcome news.Guatemala ranks 15 worldwide for death by firearms.25% of all murder victims are other criminals. For tourists, robbery is the foremost concern. LATEST FIGURESIn 2012 5174 Guatemalas died from violence or 14 per day. 28 of every 34 deaths (82%) were caused by firearms. Highest rates of death by violence were the northern and eastern sections of the country. A NEW STATISTIC: 444 GUATEMALANS WERE KILLED BY STRAY BULLETSIn 2011 5618 Guatemalans died from violence or 15 per day. 82% of these (4600) died by gunfire. Guatemala City with 1/4 of the population had 60% of all violent deaths.In 2010: 6502 deaths by violence were recorded or 18 per day.In 2009 The Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses (Inacif) reported a daily rate of 17 for a total...
DEMONSTRATIONS AND SAFETY
by vaticanus
Demonstrations vary in size and composition. Spontaneous demonstrations should be avoided. Altogether different are the organized demonstrations with shouted slogans, banners and loud speakers. (See photos added to this tip) Many are held at the Congress Building (9th Avenida) near the National Palace or downtown near the Bank of Guatemala/Municipal Complex. The mood is generally light. Defiance is generally expressed by masked spray painters who are ignored by the police. (It's easier just to repaint the walls a day later). This photo (see web address below for write up) shows a demonstration (Feb 10 2005) opposed to CAFTA and GM crops because Guatemalan farmers cannot compete against US subsidized corn and beans- genetically modified or not.The man on the left is labor leader and human rights activist Nery Barrios- director of UASP and the speaker to his right is a member of Congress-...
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US EMBASSY GUATEMALA WEB PAGE
by vaticanus
What a change a new administration makes. The US EMBASSY PAGE for Guatemala is well designed and easy to navigate. Someone has done some deep down cleaning- it shows and you should take a look. Links galore for emergencies, non-emergencies, citizen services, medical, travel warnings, sending money, residency transportation and more.
BOT FLY (BEEF WORM) PARASITE REMOVAL
by vaticanus
HUMAN BOTFLY (Beef Worm)Bot Flies are picked up in rural areas characterized by grassland, pasture, and cattle. The normal host for a bot fly is a cow. Humans are a delicacy.Botfly eggs are commonly transported and deposited while you are asleep by mosquitoes, spiders etc. The Larvae (or "warbles" in English) painlessly burrow through broken skin- such as a mosquito bite. The Larvae secure themselves with two "tail" hooks as well by the rough ridges encircling the body (see photo) SYMPTOMSThe first symptom is intense itching. You'll feel something solid under the skin and soon see a bump with a tiny hole on the skin- this is the punctum through which the larva breathes and discharges waste. Its contractions cause the third symptom- episodes of VERY EXTREME PAIN lasting ten minutes several times a day. Hot compresses and massaging will not help. If you do nothing, in two months the bump...
LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN GUATEMALA
by vaticanus
Guatemala ranks second globally for death either by malnutrition or alcohol, fourth globally for death by violence and sixth globally for death by drugs. Don't be afraid but don't be foolhardy. If every male in sight sports a tattoo you are probably in the wrong place. However, on the truly amazing side, Guatemala ranks 175th for death by auto.LISTED IN ORDER OF DEATH FOR GUATEMALA1) Pneumonia 2): Heart attack 3) Violence- (Guatemala ranks FOURTH globally)4) Stroke5) Diabetes6) Liver Disease - Guatemala ranks ELEVENTH globally7) Diarrhea8) Malnutrition - Guatemala ranks SECOND globally9) Injuries (auto and falls not included)10) Kidney failure11) Tuberculosis12) Hypertension13) HIV14) Breast CANCER (Guatemala ranks 74 globally)15) Peptic Ulcer Disease (Guatemala ranks FOURTH globally)16) Lung Disease17) Alcohol -Guatemala ranks SECOND globally18) Maternal complications19) Prostate...
CERRO DE LA CRUZ, Antigua Guatemala
by vaticanus
Widespread and Repeated Warnings about going to the overlook to enjoy the panorama of Antigua Guatemala and the majestic spectacle of Volcan Agua should not be ignored. BUT DO GO. But go during the day and better if you have company. You can also use the Tourist Office facing the Central Jardin Plaza to be escorted (their schedule not yours)Make sure you are not being followed.If you are still uncertain about going.... plan your vist in the morning--- Sunday morning is extra safe.
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