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Freeing Juanita

Sponsored Project

  • Sebastián Lasaosa Rogers, Director/Producer
  • Ana Gómez, Producer
  • Tristan Call, Producer
Juanita Alonzo Santizo, arm in arm with her aunt and uncle, Ana and Pedro, parading her in their colorful traditional ceremonial attire through the streets of their hometown San Mateo Ixtatán in Guatemala upon her return after over 7 years wrongfully detained. The whole town surrounds the family and the campaign team.

About the Project

Ana and Pedro, an indigenous Chuj-Maya aunt and uncle from the highlands of Guatemala, cross Mexico to free their niece, Juanita, who has been unjustly detained for over seven years, tortured into a false confession in a language she did not speak. With the help of a network of young indigenous language justice activists, Ana and Pedro build public pressure for Juanita’s freedom. A week after they visit her in prison, Juanita is released and returns home to Guatemala.