Roadblocks have become a favorite mode of demonstration, and may be again in the coming weeks because former members of the civil defense patrol have not received promised payments. Last June they shut down all major roads in the Peten, including access to the archaeological site of Tikal, until promises of payments settled the unrest. They are now threatening new demonstrations. A successful teachersÂ’ strike in February shut down both international airports and most major roads into Guatemala from neighboring countries, and other groups may employ the same strategy. Such demonstrations disrupt travel throughout the country, and can become violent.
