Communities in southeastern Guatemala have been sustained for generations by a rich array of agricultural activities from the production of chile peppers, beans, tomatoes, onions, coffee and other crops. But life has fundamentally shifted for many in the region since exploration began on the Escobal project in 2011. Youth groups, churches, municipal councils, and small farmers, as well as Indigenous organizations like the Xinka Parliament, have focused much of their energy on protecting their lands from mining activities. Their creativity, resilience, and clear expressions of community self-determination have not faltered, despite facing repression and criminalization. The timeline below documents many of these key moments.