Guatemala in state of emergency over mine protest Guatemala has declared a state of emergency in four southeastern towns following deadly clashes related to a proposed silver mine. The declaration means the citizen's constitutional rights are temporarily suspended while the authorities try the quash the violent protests against Canadian mining company Tahoe Resources. Speaking of the protesters the Guatemalan president said: What has been done here is breaking the law and carrying out criminal acts of the highest level such as murders. This is what led us to the decision to implement (these measures) it's not about protecting, the mining activities. The demonstrators fear the mine will contaminate their water supply. On Thursday the four towns were raided by police and the military who arrested 15 people on suspicion on kidnapping weapons theft and destruction of property. More about: Emergency, Guatemala, Urban violence