Mob Frees 29 Police in Guatemala

By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA | Associated Press February 22, 2008

GUATEMALA CITY - An angry mob in Guatemala that took 29 policemen
hostage released the officers Friday in exchange for talks with the
government on legalizing their lands and possibly dropping charges
against a jailed farm leader, a human rights official said.

The standoff began late Thursday when a crowd surrounded the police
station in the Caribbean coastal town of Livingston, disarmed the
agents and took them in boats to their remote village of Maya Creek.

The mob of hundreds threatened to kill the officers unless
authorities agreed to release a jailed farm leader accused of leading
land seizures.

Guatemalan officials and the Human Rights Prosecutor's office worked
to negotiate an end to the 32-hour standoff.

"We spoke with our people in the town, and I can confirm that the 29
agents were released and are in perfect health," Rolando Yoc, the
human rights office's chief advocate, told The Associated Press.
Police officials had originally put the number of kidnapped officers
at 30 but later said there were 29.

Farm leader Ramiro Choc, who was arrested Feb. 14 on charges of
illegal land invasion, robbery and illegally holding people against
their will, had urged his supporters to release the police officers
in a telephone call from jail on Thursday. Officials accuse Choc of
inciting community residents to invade land and take over protected
nature reserves.

Members of the mob told human rights prosecutors they had occupied
the disputed land for more than a decade and that a powerful person
had been trying to kick them out, Yoc said.

Following the release of the officers, the government promised to
help Maya Creek residents legalize their land and to see if charges
could be dropped against Choc, the human rights official said.

Five organizers from a local farmers union and community
representatives will be transported by plane to the capital to
negotiate with the government.