The Cooperativa Agrícola Integral, Unión Huista, Responsabilidad Limitada is an agricultural cooperative based in the village of El Rodeo, in the municipality of Escuintla, which was founded in 1999 in the Indigenous Community of Nueva Trinidad. It is composed primarily of coffee cherry producers, most of whom are originally from the department of Huehuetenango and belong to the Popti Maya people. It plays a vital role in the development of the community and Popti culture. One of its main functions is to collect, process, and market coffee, which is the primary source of income. The cooperative also operates a biofactory that produces bio-inputs and organic fertilizers, as well as a credit service.
The community has a group of women who contribute to the family and community economy, particularly through businesses related to tilapia farming and food services.
Joining Hands for the Future of Nueva Trinidad
From the loss of their ancestral lands in the Huista region of Huehuetenango, and their exile in Mexico during the armed conflict, to their return to the slopes of the Fuego volcano following the peace agreements, the 163 families of the indigenous community of Nueva Trinidad have mobilized to secure their relocation, as the territory has been deemed uninhabitable since the tragic eruption of 2018.
Every time the Volcán de Fuego erupts, it triggers a new alert, the possibility of another evacuation from their homes, and memories of those days that changed the course of their history. Despite this, the community has shown an admirable capacity for resilience, organization, and hope.
The relocation of Nueva Trinidad represents much more than simply moving to a new or safer place; it offers the community the chance to preserve its identity as a Poptí Maya people, continue its agricultural activities, and uphold the traditional indigenous values of protecting and caring for natural resources, as well as ensuring a dignified future for future generations.
Successful relocation requires a concerted effort and the commitment of the Guatemalan government to take timely action that helps ensure the safety, well-being, and lives of community members.
To begin their resettlement, and with the support of Utz Che’ and the Mesoamerican Territorial Fund, the Nueva Trinidad Indigenous Community has launched the campaign and the Community Fund “Joining Hands for the Future of Nueva Trinidad,” an initiative that aims to rally support and solidarity to make this shared dream a reality.
Every contribution is an opportunity for the families of Nueva Trinidad to build a more secure future.
