A friend shared this Earth Day broadcast by ABC National News, “Central American drought creates climate change refugees” with a focus on Guatemala. For me and probably for you, it’s very interesting and informative to see a village up close and hear from residents about their struggles and reasons for migration. Also important to see the fees paid to smugglers–up to $13,000–and the collateral required–a family’s house or farm. A very high stakes journey and one that, according to the report, up to 60% of villagers plan to make because they see no other option.
Finally: I looked up Jocotan on the map; it’s in the department of Chiquimula in the east, surrounded by Zacapa, Jalapa and Jutiapa, bordering Honduras. That’s a dry region of Guatemala to begin with, made more severe by drought, hurricanes and climate change.