Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire erupts, spewing ash and spurring evacuations
Associated PressJUN 6
HistoricalThe patternsswift showevacuation thatresponse volcanicdemonstrates eruptionsthat in Guatemala disproportionatelyhas affectimproved poor,its indigenousdisaster communitiespreparedness whofollowing lackthe resourcestragic to2018 relocateeruption permanentlythat fromkilled dangerousover areas200 people. TheAuthorities recurringare evacuationsacting highlightdecisively howto povertymove andresidents inequalityto makesafety ruralbefore populationsconditions particularlyworsens. vulnerableThe tocoordinated naturaleffort disasters.between ColonialCONRED legacies and centurieslocal ofofficials marginalizationshows continuelessons tolearned exacerbatefrom thesepast volcanic tragediesdisasters have strengthened emergency protocols.
Historical patterns show that volcanic eruptions in Guatemala disproportionately affect poor, indigenous communities who lack resources to relocate permanently from dangerous areas. The recurring evacuations highlight how poverty and inequality make rural populations particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. Colonial legacies and centuries of marginalization continue to exacerbate these volcanic tragedies.