Mataquescuintla, Jalapa, Guatemala
Relationship: 4 years
The Lemus family has been carrying on the coffee-growing tradition for 66 years, spanning three generations. Baudelio Lemus and his children, Juan Raul, Ramiro de Jesus, and Sandy Esmeralda, are deeply committed to cultivating their land, fully aware of the work and meticulous care required for a quality harvest. They strive to maintain the wooded character of their farm by planting a variety of trees to preserve the environmental balance and combat pollution.
Committed to this cause, the family firmly opposes the mining operations plaguing the country. Guatemala, rich in natural resources, is easy prey for multinational corporations. Faced with this alarming situation, they are part of the peaceful resistance led by the Café Colis Resistencia group.
Regional context
In Mataquescuintla and the surrounding area, nearly 90% of the population considers itself a coffee producer; however, almost none of these producers have access to a market beyond the local one. Furthermore, they receive little to no support from their national government regarding coffee production, analysis, or quality, while also facing low prices and limited options.
Café Colis Resistencia
Café Colis Resistencia is the name adopted by Alex Reynoso to designate the coffee-producing members of the Xinca indigenous community around Mataquescuintla. This name draws its inspiration from the legendary history of resistance among the Xinca people, dating back to the time of the Spanish conquistadors. The Xinca, after refusing to submit to Spanish colonization, were eventually persuaded to lay down their arms by Spanish generals who claimed they simply wanted to cross their territory. Once passage was granted, the Spanish betrayed the Xinca's trust by prohibiting the use of their language and cultural traditions in retaliation for their resistance. This event marked the beginning of a long period of cultural decline that lasted into the 21st century, with the Guatemalan government often denying the very existence of the Xinca or their status as an indigenous people.
Beginning in 2003, the Xinca people seriously waged a struggle for recognition, seeking through legal means to revive their cultural traditions and their nearly forgotten language. However, with the advancement of a mining project called Escobal, established in 2008, this battle was relegated to the background, and their attention shifted to resisting this extractive project approved without their consent.
Escobal
The mine, located approximately 5 km from Mataquescuintla, is considered a significant danger to all surrounding communities. Despite overwhelming opposition expressed in multiple local referendums, with rejection rates reaching 93 to 100%, Tahoe Resources nevertheless proceeded with the mine's construction. From 2011 to 2013, hundreds of complaints were filed against Escobal's license. Despite these concerns, Escobal continued its operations, resulting in surrounding pollution, drying up lakes, and causing homes to collapse due to underground mining.
The Xinca community persisted in its resistance, culminating in a complete blockade of the mine entrance in 2017. In July of that year, this action finally prompted the Constitutional Court to rule against Tahoe Resources and suspend their license pending a proper consultation process. This decision was a major victory, as it not only recognized the importance of Indigenous rights in the consultation process for mining projects but also specifically acknowledged the rights of the Xinca, which had previously been denied. Since then, Xinca populations have been more accurately represented in census data, numbering 268,223 in the 2017 census, compared to 16,214 in 2002!
Ownership of the mine has since been transferred to the Canadian company Pan-American Silver, which has committed to respecting the required consultation process. Escobal has remained closed since then, while consultations continue. Despite hopes that the consultation will result in a favorable outcome for Café Colis Resistencia, the ongoing uncertainty has led to a decline in morale.
Semilla
Over the years of collaboration with Café Colis Resistencia, Semilla, the company that imports these coffees, has done remarkable work in helping them not only establish a stable market, but also deepen their understanding of the product and the processes necessary to harvest and process high-quality coffee. Semilla provides considerable support to the group, ranging from analyzing coffee and soil samples to mentorship and equipment purchases, in addition to facilitating access to the international market.
This project is undoubtedly one of Semilla's most valuable in terms of impact, advocacy, and support. Every roaster or consumer who buys, drinks, and enjoys this coffee, especially in Canada, makes a significant contribution to a community that, just a few years ago, felt completely abandoned.
