Testimony

I feel that the regime in power takes advantage of indigenous villagers because it is threatened by the sheer number of people. Because the natives have peaceful living habits, they cooperate easily and can theoretically overthrow any government if they are disturbed enough to try to organize a rebellion. I think that the case in Guatemala is similar. The army is afraid of the knowledge that the native Mayan have of their terrain and lusts for the rich resources that the land offers. There is power in numbers, and by turning natives against each other (such as forcing natives to join the army), the government is successful in dividing and conquering. People will do horrible things when there is all to lose and much to gain, but Montejo was never swayed by this idea. Even though the acts committed by the army were atrocious, and Montejo witnessed all this, I greatly admired that he kept his composure and acted honorably in each situation he found himself in.