Guatemala natives end protest

Guatemala: Guate-malan indigenous people who staged strong protests in the capital return to their places of origin Tuesday, after their leaders and the government agreed to hold a meeting with President Alvaro Colom.

After hours of negotiations, it was made known the President will meet with indigenous leaders on Thursday.

The Human Rights Office (PDH) acted as mediator in the situation at the Presidential House, when the 14 indigenous leaders who talked with governmental representatives had declared a hunger strike, and refused to leave the facility.

They alleged there were no satisfactory answers to the requested accomplishment of commitments previously reached with local authorities.

Hundreds of farmers were staging a sit-in in at Plaza de la Constitucion, as a measure of pressure, and to honor a farmer killed yesterday during the protest by an infiltrated agitator.

The PDH will guarantee the negotiations on Thursday. Guatemala, Prensa Latina