Torture, truth, justice: A forensic investigator unearths Guatemala’s past | Witness Documentary

Carlos Poyon was just three years old when his father was kidnapped and disappeared in Guatemala. Forty years later, the traditional weaver studies anthropology still hoping to find his father.
Carlos also works for the Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala (FAFG). He records survivors’ testimonies, takes DNA samples of those seeking missing loved ones and joins excavations to recover the remains of the disappeared.
Up to 45,000 people disappeared during Guatemala’s 36-year civil war. More than 80 percent of them were Indigenous Mayan civilians. A UN-backed truth commission found that the state committed acts of genocide against groups of Mayan people.
Carlos and thousands of survivors still seek truth and justice 25 years after the 1996 peace accords.
A documentary film by Paula Monaco Felipe.
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[@GladysAlicea]

This is one of the saddest stories I've ever watched. The Guatemalan people began their suffering in the mid-1800's, with the land theft and murders of many by the United Fruit Company (now known as Chiquita). Bananas were an unknown crop to the CIA, NSA and others. It's quite tragic and inexcusable that most Americans don't know (or care to know) America's covert involvement in human rights abuses, murder and profiteering not only in Latin America but around the world. The Digital National Security Archive (DNSA), has a huge trove of the atrocities and those involved collected over years of FOIA requests by journalists and others. It's a shocking, yet detailed account of US presidents, foreign policy advisors, DOD, NSA, and others, and even includes phone conversations of Henry Kissinger but one of many. If more Americans knew of these crimes, perhaps we wouldn't have an annual military budget of almost $900B. What a waste.

[@anneankaspilling]

Thanks for reporting omg it’s such an eye opener 😢

[@nebimas8765]

It’s painful to watch the old laddies faces crying because they never had the opportunity to say good bye or I love you to their family. I hope people never forget indigenous people of Guatemala have suffered for centuries even when this was our land. We took care of the land and rivers. 😢

[@BWKameradschaftUSA]

As a Guatemalan, I can say this is a dark past of our beautiful country.

[@tiareyes6403]

Still should be addressed. All life deserves dignity . because of gluttony some never have enough. And will go to these lengths of hate. It's extreme hate, actually. ❤

[@smokeymcpot69]

If it's so beautiful why do people leave in drones 😂

[@wendyamrhein1710]

i didn't know but now i do. gracias.

[@BubblewrapHighway]

You can thank the Dulles Bros. for this tragedy among many others.

[@graemeblake9447]

Brings tears to my eyes. Memories of my time in Guatemala. Canilla and San Andres Sacabaja, Quiche.

[@vannesaw5685]

Very sad, me and my family escaped Guatemala before the war reached our town and got asylum in America. I feel sorry for those who couldn’t and hope they are doing well. (My father was Chinese and my mother was mestizo)

[@bustownbc2787]

This is amazing work..and i wish all the families find their missing family and friends

[@EdTay-dj3fu]

Thank you by doing these reporter about my country, Al-Jazeera. Greetings from Guatemala, Central America. ✨

[@Manas999_9]

thank you.

[@MarthaSilva]

18:03 Her face when she says "Thanks" (for my mother and little brother's identification) :'(

[@tiareyes6403]

Funny she shouldn't have had hope for their life,ay? You're sick...

[@retnorahmawati9024]

Uneart's