No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveGroup Helps Guatemalans Scan Secret-Police Files

Group Helps Guatemalans Scan Secret-Police Files

WASHINGTON, D.C. (EFE) – The non-governmental U.S. organization National Security Archive (NSA) this week released some photographs of the huge cache of secret-police files recently discovered in Guatemala documenting brutal repression during that country’s long, bloody civil war.NSA, located on the campus of George Washington University, called the appearance of the documents “an extraordinary opportunity for preserving history and advancing justice.”The 14 photos released Monday show part of the treasure trove of information about Guatemala’s 1960-1996 civil war, a hoard of some 75 million documents discovered earlier this year in five buildings at a police compound in Guatemala City. Kate Doyle, who heads NSA’s Guatemala Project and visited the Central American country in August to aid in the review of the files, said the cache “promises to be one of the most revealing collections of military or police records ever discovered in Latin America.”The documents belonged to the National Police, whose involvement in kidnapping, torture and murder was so extensive that the force’s abolition and replacement with a new entity was mandated in the 1996 peace accords.The cache includes thousands of photographs, audio recordings, individuals’ criminal records, internal police memos, fingerprint sheets and accounting ledgers, among other items.“There were hundreds of rolls of still photography, which are being developed now,” said NSA’s Doyle. “There were pictures of bodies and of detainees, there were lists of police informants with names and photos, there were vehicle license plates, video tapes and computer disks.”

Trending Now

Flying Around Costa Rica is Easier Than Ever Thanks to Sansa Airlines

The airline recently added two new aircraft to its fleet, bringing their total to twelve. That increase allows SANSA to boost service to smaller...

Costa Rican Economists Raise Alarm Over U.S. Cash Transfer Tax

In 2026, the U.S. government will impose a 1% tax on cash remittances sent from the United States to Latin America. Electronic transfers will...

Costa Rica’s Tourism Faces Decline Amid Rising Crime and Costs

Costa Rica’s flagship tourism industry, long a cornerstone of our nation’s economy, is dealing with a noticeable downturn in 2025 as rising crime, health...

What are Diatoms and how are they used in Costa Rica?

A key ally in natural pest control is now available in Costa Rica.

Quiet Force, Loud Legacy: Jannik Sinner Beats Alcaraz for First Wimbledon Title

Jannik Sinner is the quiet man of tennis who has become a big noise, burnishing his legacy on Sunday by winning his first Wimbledon...

El Salvador NGO Flees to Guatemala as Bukele Intensifies Crackdown on Critics

The prestigious NGO Cristosal, which investigates corruption cases and denounces human rights violations in El Salvador, announced Thursday that it has been forced into...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica