Mayan Ruins in Guatemala Could Become a U.S.-Funded Tourist Attraction
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- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2020
- Deep in a dense, tropical Guatemalan forest lies the ancient Mayan city of El Mirador. It is more than 2,000 years old, but the site at the center of a current debate over who gets to dictate its future, as well as that of the surrounding jungle: local communities, or foreign scientists.
On one side of the battle is Dr. Richard Hansen. An American archeologist who's dedicated much of his life to El Mirador, Hansen has been trying to build a privately-managed park in the area for the last 20 years. He says it would protect the ruins and jungle -- a UNESCO-designated forest called the Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR) -- more effectively than the Guatemalan state is willing or able to.
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Dr. Richard Hansen is an American archeologist who's dedicated much of his life to El Mirador, Hansen has been trying to build a privately-managed park in the area for the last 20 years.
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PLEASE MAKE THIS VIDEO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH. Not just subtitles, but an actual dubbed video. It’s important for my Guatemalan people, ESPECIALLY indigenous people, to know what’s going on with their country and history...make this available to them as well...it’s REALLY important that you do.
Thanks vice news for putting this out
I'm Mayan. We suffered genocide in the 80s and now Mormons want to claim our land and claim we have no vision? If I see his old ass in the land of my people I'll make sure to eat his heart and sacrifice it to itzamna
LDS is a demonic cult do ur research
If significant Mormon tourism dollars are involved they want to return the money to the church and shape their doctrines as they see fit....
Jesus Christ what a slap in the face to all the native people there. He's basically making a Disneyland on ancient ruins.
Wtf is my country doing i wanna immigrate immediately
it's tourism.
Facts
That what I said
Wdym
Hanson insults the same people he's trying to exploit, for his own greed. This is disturbing. Leave them ALONE!
yt people really
Mormonism needs to come to its end they're all part of the Illuminati...
He had the balls to insinuate the Guatemalans are high.
He's an arrogant jerk. They Guatemalans should kick him out.
Sounds about American
He’s really suggesting that Guatemalan people spend their time smoking weed and have no vision... he’s not trying to protect the forest, he’s trying to get rich off ancient ruins that are in the country of the people he’s insulting. Disgusting.
Guatamala can't afford food. How the hell they can afford weed. What a jerk.
U got it..he sees dollar signs not people or ruins ..he wants to ruin it ..
He was talking about corruption and politicians not the Guatemalan people. Think about it again
@@leticiaespino7251 I said what I said. read it again.
@@sayittomyfaceidareyou8629 they grow it
3:55 he was about to say: "these people are stupid" then corrected himself because of the camera.
Do you not feel like God does have a plan? Or should we all live in sin for ever, do you like what you are seeing inn these days?
@Elsa Gonzales thank you! I will spread this around!
@@dulcelatina214 god called me and he said to leave these people alone
Unbelievable
I caught that right away..
Richard Hansen sounds like a modern-day colonist to me
Thank you! Spoke my mind.
Nail on the head
I wish it was as simple as comparing Richard Hansen to the colonists, but the sad thing is that he’s a drop in the bucket. There are thousands of “Richard Hansens.” Ruthless wealthy American businessmen find a way to get what they want, no matter what cost.
Yupp glad i wasmt the only one who saw this truth. Shout out to the locals demanding a stake share
Exactly
"these people" thats all i needed to hear thumbs down to that guy.
As a Guatemalan I can tell you that I completely dislike how that sounds. But the problem is complex, as El Mirador is one of the most incredible places I've ever been to. We need investment, and we need more development but I find it hard to believe we will get that by just employing locals and depriving them of their space...
Maybe its bacause in Spanish we say “these people” as a very common phrase, it is not the same as in English and He already has de spanish expresion
That's because your a soft little snowflake that gets offended by everything! XD LMAOOOO....Do you need a tissue too? Maybe a nice dark room to cry in? LMAOOO
I was thinking the same thing
Yeah he is garbage excuse for a human.. I hope somehow they stop him but I'm sure he is prepared to bribe as many people as he needs 2
I'm mayan and this is a disgrace to my heritage and my people. I want to stop it. I'm not asking for money I'm asking for justice.
ESTO HAY QUE PUBLICARLO, REGARLO EN LAS REDES SOCIALES, QUE NO SE SALGA CON LA SUYA, LA TIERRA SAGRADA DE LOS MAYAS NO LES PERTENECE.
When I went to Tikal, I loved how calm it was. I didn't go there to ride a train and eat a modern meal. In fact, there are little shops in the area that have food. Those owners and their families have lived there as long as they remember. That's what it's all about. Not a "would be resort"..
I thought archeologist were supposed to persevered history not turn into an attraction.
So true never thought about that
History is worthless if it can't be seen especially in person. There is a right way to do this but hes obliviously could care less. Prob won't even check the ground of the hotel before its built.
These thieves know what's up, they hide under the "archeologist" or "explorer" title. They know their ancestors killed our people and destroyed our cultures and left our cities to be destroyed by the jungle but now they wanna exploit even our "ruins"
@@cantthinkofnameyeah7249 History is worth something if you can learn from it.
The majority of tourists take pictures to post to Instagram and then say they are hot and tired "when will we leave".
How many tons of stone and dust has been taken as a souvenirs from ancient sites.
It’s stood the test of time thousands of years. Why tf shouldn’t people be allowed to see it?
As a Guatemalan I say: GET OFF MY LAND!!!
Go and do something in your country instead of being on the computer
If its not for tourists how will they make money
Es muy importante que Guatemala guarde precaución sobre las mentiras del pasado, las mentiras del presente, para saber quién les miente hoy! #ORGULLOLATINO
I like icecream and I like Guatemala...but icecream "in" Guatemala dangerous..but seperately both are good.. together no good..I lika do the cha cha
Why Does The USA want too Make Money off The Mayans for Their Land Their Monuments etc.. When The USA Cant Protect And Save Our Past History, What makes you think Mayans will Let Any USA Citizen's Even Visit Their Land With Behavior Like That On Their Homeland USA????🤔 Cant The USA Butt Out of Other Countries Business? Leave Them Alone! If they are suffering, show them By Example How We Do It 🤔 Dont go taking over doing their own Battles...
As a Guatemalan, I thank you so so much for bringing this news to the media. We’re doing our best to collect firms to stop this.
beautiful this should not happen to our ancient cities. #NO.PRIVATE #PUBLIC
It’s already happening. They’re construction state and according to their website, it will be done in 2026
I am not against tourism, of course not. But this is stupid. Just imagine resorts and train rails near the amazons, the Giza pyramids or inside the Colosseum. I think is the same and I would like the tourism in Tikal to be improved, but not by arrogant foreigners like Richard Hansen.
Tourism would be fine if he was a greedy piece of garbage. Lol when they spoke of giving money back he was like uhh I mean the tourist might maybe leave and go buy a sandwich somewhere... but really he meant we can hire locals to work here because someone will need to carry towels
They think their ancestors migrated to Ancient Mayan cities but they all still look as white as mayonnaise? 🤔
Well, other lunatics believe that the temples were built by black Africans so... XD
The narrator/reporter got that wrong. Those white tourists don’t believe that THEIR ancestors settled in the ancient Americas. That’s not a Mormon belief. They do, however, believe that the ancestors of native Americans migrated from Jerusalem. And that’s demonstrably false.
lying mayonnaise with the GUATEMALAN TROTS spewing out of of forked tongues..
Wofo Woof 😂👌
@@valkeakirahvi Africans from northern Africa MAYBE....AND Africans who traveled there not to cololize.....and IF TRAVELLED there it was over 1000 years ago
Hansen is definitely a modern day colonist. Like the Guatemalan Professor mentioned that he isn't even remotely interested in preserving the actual history of the place by publishing it, instead he is more interested in making his grandiose ideas come true.
He's not a colonist.
@Jisung’s•Cheesecake well said! Guatemala must recover every metre of its mayan territory of Belice and sue the pirate, criminal and parasite monarchy from the small island of England
He is a terrible person I agree colonists kind of a stretch. I get that when you said modern day though you meant more of a profit based platform rather than conquest and expansion etc
His entitlement is disgusting. He already acts like it’s his when he shows the congress people.
Yup he says welcome when they are hiking up the pyramid... I hope the Guatemalan people stand there ground..
Lol because he is paying enough Guatemalan politicians to make sure it is
Don't let it happen Guatemala. The money is only gonna benefit the politicians and Hansen.
In 2000, the day after Richard Hansen presented his project of "Cuenca del Mirador" I traveled to the archeological site with him, accompanied by three journalists, a former director of INGUAT (the Guatemalan tourism commission), and two well-known public Guatemalan figures (one of them representing the Novella Foundation). Hansen, who the previous day offered interviews with the media (I coordinated such interviews) showed us two of the largest pyramids, La Danta and El Tigre, he also showed other constructions and shared his theories about the Mayan society. He clearly stated that he was AGAINST building a big airport and constructing 5-star hotels because that wouldn't be positive for the local economy, he told us that he wanted to keep things as they were so travelers were obliged to hire local guides, to rent their horses and mules, and to buy their food in order to keep the money within the community.
I remember he said something like "if we allow the creation of a big infrastructure all the money will go to the owners of the hotel chains and we want to support the local people". So, why did he change his mind? What interests are moving him? I am very disappointed, for 20 years I admired him and his vision, he even explained to us that even if they had the money to uncover all the pyramids he wouldn't do it, he would just uncover the frontal half of the pyramids because that way he would be leaving something for the archeologist of the future to discover, also because they would have better technology to preserve it. That sounded simply genius to me, but now I am convinced he is moved by the wrong intentions. Now I can just hope his plans will never come to fruition.
I hope the Guatemalan people succeed in keeping the colonizers out of there....The ancestors won't take kindly to this..
Trust me we'll defend our culture
@Khristophoros1001 Even so what is left of their history shouldn't be destroyed by a so called "archaeologist" who's trying to capitalize off THEIR culture.
@Elsa Gonzales the link is not working, I want to sign the petition
Balam will guide them to victory
@@gisselle0160 thank you!! I will share the link as well
No!!!!! USA needs to keep their hands off of Guatemalan property!
Well Unless you have your greencard
Too late
mike mueller her comment has nothing to do with having a green card, she’s talking about Guatemalan property. Learn what a green card is meant for 😂
I am Guatemalan and I believe that Guatemala has so much to offer in regards of tourism, culture, biodiversity and history, but it will not work if it is not owned and regulated by Guatemalans. We have something that many other places do not have, history of long gone civilizations, colonial architecture, rainforests, mountains, beaches even reefs... We need to use it to our benefit, share it with the world through tourism, but the wealth should remain in Guatemala.
Guatemala is SUCH A beautiful country!
So "preservation" here is just another word to rewrite History to his liking ?
Yeah basically
To make money.
Its disgusting
When you log an area you can replenish it. However, if you build a structure there is no replenishing it... he’s a ConMan.
and a colonialist
As a US American who has visited Guatemala I would tell Richard Hanson this: the Guatemalan people do have visions and dreams of their own, they just don't match your vision.
Sería importante que tuviera subtítulos en español, así los guatemaltecos a quien nos incumbe está noticia podríamos entender.
Contacta a los noticieros o páginas de redes sociales en Guatemala para que hagan un doblaje o añadan subtítulos. Quizás publicaciones de universidades también puedan ayudar.
I really wish that doesn't come true. There has never been a moment in history in where the US actually helped guatemalan people. We're still suffering from what Banna Fruit Co. did, and we're gonna let another US company take over so much land again? I really hope not.
It’s disgusting what this man wants to too, spread the word and we can avoid it to happen www.change.org/p/us-senate-stop-bill-s-3131-mirador-calakmul-basin-maya-security-and-conservation-partnership-act
The Beautiful Guatemala must recover every metre of its mayan territory of Belice and sue the pirate, criminal and parasite monarchy from the small island of England
I read somewhere they were using the guatamalan people too as guinea pigs for vaccines in ww2
Don’t forget they helped fund the Guatemalan civil war
I don't like this, I'm from America and I feel this would destroy the local people's lively hoods. They seem to be doing a good job at protecting the forest. The ruins don't need to become a privatized tourist trap. This guy and others invested in his plan just care about making money. To build that train some forest would have to be cut away to lay down tracks. Plus, once tourism hits heavily in the area there will be other types of industry wanting to move in like corporate run hotels, American fast food, and ect.
The ruins and forest have been fine this entire time with the locals managing it. The usa needs to leave it alone and learn to better manage its own resources at home that are being polluted and destroyed.
Exactly. That Disneyland style tourist attraction is gonna have a McDonald's and all these other slave wage jobs for the Guatemalan people.
Thank you
I'm American too, and most Americans AREN'T Mormon, And would oppose this if they'd actually heard about it, but they haven't because this hasn't become a big story in the, what, 20 years this has supposedly been in development. At the end of the day it probably wont happen, because it doesn't seem have enough support
@@aidenk7047 I hope so
@@aidenk7047 the US have done this in other places. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens. 🤷🏻♀️
As an ex-mormon, I'm so glad I escaped - this is insanity.
3:48 I can tell he isn't impressed with these Guatemalans, but he does want to make money off of them. Ever seen Antigua? Ever seen Guatemala in general? They have more vision then you do sir.
I did the five day hike there. They guy at 4:56 was my guide.
It was so special because nobody was around our little group of 7 people for miles and miles. And watching the sunset/sunrise on top of the pyramids. Only with the sounds of the jungle is one of the best memories I have.
It would break my heart to see it become a money machine for an US american.
This is a treasure to the people they know how to thank the land they have there own beliefs and and all this gentlemen wants to do is ruin the land and make a profit. This is amazing how tourists appreciate what they are going to do explore and know exactly what they want without any special adjustments!!
How did you schedule that , I’m interested in doing that hike ?
Then get ready for the ruins to become even more ruined.
Yubi K. 😂💀
@Jay in LA
No, and even if that were true, the Russian respect national monuments- the Soviets zealously protected wildlife in Russia and the satellite states. China would just turn it into a tourist attraction, like the Mormons want to.
Plus I don't think turning the country into a banana republic and overthrowing its president is a reason to be grateful to the U.S.- it already ruined Guatemala long ago
They are not ruins they are our heritage.
“These people” and “they have no vision” sounds like a neo-colonialist. It’s their land they don’t want you to profit off it fair enough and bugger off
Wouldn't be so bad if he wasnt trying to take from where others already laid claim and if he fairly split the profits with the local town or government to help the people.
Please sign petitions to not allow this man to ruin Guatemala 🇬🇹
The US has no damn business in this country everything touched by US is destroyed. Wheres the US when Guatemala needs help? Nowhere! So keep yourself within that same sight distance. We don't want the US nowhere these sacred ruins. Yes! Im a proud Guatemalan.
It's not the US it's Chris Hansen
While I agree people should stay out. You know government aid or not this mormon guy should find a way.. and there have been places where people have benefited from help In history from us just to be fair and no I don't mean Iraq lol
As Guatemalan, I recognize there is a lack of vision between the organizations and the government but Guatemala has a very deep history of interventionism from the United States which has created a lack of identity in our people, I prefer less tourism than a foreigner person has again his hands on what is really our own, a little our own from a lot of things other persons and countries had taken from us. The vision of Hansen is one that lacks respect, from our culture and our customs, this is a sacred place for the Mayans, and no one mentions that as if the Mayan's beliefs, history, and culture are something that doesn't exist anymore.
You can see Hansen has the same old beliefs by analyzing the idea of a train, a train was built here in Guatemala by the united fruit company to transport Banana which is one of the first ideas imposed by the United States to get cheap labor and control our government to favor a foreigner business. Read our history and you can make the comparison yourself.
Latin America needs to wake up, Mormons,US government and many (not all) US corporations want to take control of your countries. USSR collapsed and US never helped rebuild the countries, US betrayed Kurds. WHY ARE YOU DOING BUSINESS WITH US?
Kick them out. If they don't leave peacefully, you all know what to do and ig ain't pretty.
The united states government has influenced mexico nd central America for over 100 yrs. Secretly making the rich richer and the poor poorer.
@Peter Allen correct ;my friend, he should go to hi's land and build whatever he wants.
It’s sad those train even shut down. My dad use to use those trains to travel through Guatemala. Also Machu Pichu has a train that travels from Cuzco to the site and you get a beautiful tour through the amazon. If the Guatemalan government and people would see that and replicate it then it might not be a bad idea.
3:47 He whines about being called an “imperialist gringo” and then immediately shows that he’s an imperialist gringo. LMFAO
ABSOLUTELY.
Trash claiming ancient history as their own. Shameful!!
What does he mean when he says "guatemalans have no vision?" Ummmm hello sir look at the gorgeous place YOU are trying to profit from!!
True
He meant the corrupt politicians have no vision. Drug money vrs academics/employment/remittances/emigration/foreign deficits/international income/development etc. Lost in translation and fake news reporters biased assessments and manufactured out of context Spanish expressions by a foreign scholar (a lot more into it than sound bites but complex even for expert mayanist guatemalans and career politicians)
This is a one sided British ignoramus video. Study the cuenca of el mirador and la danta just to get a feel before shallow commenting
this is a great one!!!
.. Those were from like 200 bc
She was looking at him like he is full on stupid 3:45 😂😂
What is really being said here?
I was thinking the same how stupid guy omg
Like I was
Is there a way to get Spanish subtitles on this video? It would be great if it could reach a broader audience in Guatemala.
First the aliens built the Pyramids of Egypt and now the Mormons built the Mayan Pyramids...
"They have no vison" is this guy for real?? He beleives in a recent made up religion, go to another country because he thinks his ancestors built what they did not, and wants to turn what it's his into an pathetic cash machine. Some them just wont let go of this colonialist mindset, their complexe of superiority is through the roof. Looks like he has not learnt a damn this from actual history, his travels and the people he met.
Unbelievable!! He has the nerve to day they have no vison when he cant look back at the past and the mistakes made. All he cares about is his stupid book. Crazy!!
Thank gob we have movements and people not taking this bs anymore.
All religion is made up so "recent religion" is better or "recently made up religion"
@@Jokin_vaan fair enough!
Bruuhhh he said Guatemalans too high to have no vision
Yeah dudes a pos. This documentary made my blood boil.
People like him don’t change and deep down actually hate themselves and have no love in their heart. That’s his punishment.
Not the Mormons again :(
The Mormons are productive people. We need them too.
WalkAway2020
@@Wanamaker1946
Mormons have a very bizarre and heretical point of view.
@@godsbeautifulflatearth sounds like you do too
DumbDuhduhduhduhDumb
I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints too, but this guy is NOT representative of the majority. I'm also concerned about his attitudes toward the locals...he is dismissive of their culture, their concerns, and their religion. And made misogynistic comments too. I would definitely question his motives based on that alone!
He’s playing them like little kids 😂 let’s do a little “prayer” just as he joked about death on what would be considered sacred place, I see no respect, he’s just playing his part for them to be paying their part.
Jamás permitiremos que este proyecto se realice y que Estados Unidos quiera adueñarse de esta zona. JAMÁS!
POR FAVOR.. PEDIMOS A LA COMUNIDAD INTERNACIONAL QUE INVESTIGUE Y SE ENTERE REALMENTE DE QUE TRATA ESTE PROYECTO Y LO QUE PRETENDEN HACER CON LA ZONA DEL PETÉN. #SAVEPETEN
building a train track through the jungle wont cut a single tree, just go around them???..wtf is this guy drunk?
Keystone Pipeline all over again
#B.Lung I think he is the one smoking..
loco, drunk and crazy, but in the first ABUSIVE, Guatemala is not own by him.
So sad that some Mormons are claiming to be descendants of Mesoamericans.
??????? 😳
The descendants and natives are all in cages and on the other side of the wall. White people trying to rewrite history again.
This is an error in the video. They believe that the people in the Book of Mormon are "among the ancestors of the American Indians."
@@musicfreak2080 yet guatemalans cling to a few drops of spanish ancestry. Che triste !
@@PHlophe it comes down to skin and what they feel comfortable being. Being white or european is easier culturally. It's not us. Just more victims to genocide and time.
This is a huge issue that goes deeper than the gringo trying to profit out of Guatemalan people. As a Mexican National I’ve experienced how our own people don’t care about archeological sites. There’s so many sites in Mexico that are ruined by graffiti and garbage. The gringo is an issue that needs to be deal with separately but we also need to start with our own people who have no education on archeology.
If this man somehow convinces the Guatemalan government to help him with this, I am organizing a protest and we are all hiking to that place and keeping them from changing anything on my peoples land. We will camp out there until they give up.
YES, I COUNT ON YOU AND IN ALL OTHERS THAT LOVE GUATEMALA AND THE FREEDOM WE DESERVE AS HUMANS, THIS GUY HAVE THE $ 60,000,000.00
MILLIONS REASONS WHY HE WANT TO HELP WITH THE MILITARY TRAIN,
BESIDES THAT THE GUATEMALAN ARE POT HEAD HE SAID AND LACK OF VISION.
They should start at the caucus mountains that's where they'll find their Origins.
the caucazions eh ?
Thats in russia, a part of russia which is predominantly muslim and dont resemble white people. white Americans hijacked that term because in caucasion doesnt only mean white/european. North and east africans as well as arabs are reffered to as part of the caucasian race.
That's wasn't theirs either.
@@riskyg640 wrong
Long liveesau show me where i was wrong🤔🤔
Once again the Europeans come in "knowing" what is best for the "no vision" Natives. For HIs profit and His Religion to make a mormon Mayan Disneyland
funny!
Guatemala is called the Center of The Universe.
The meaning of Maya word is ILLUSION
The True Mayas or the gods of the indigenous used to believe that this world was an illusion for the spirits
Honestly I hope they spend millions on their dumb train just to get wild west style train robberies by drug cartels lol
Please keep us Europeans out of this, we've learned our lesson
Americans have nothing to do with us
Europeans?, I doubt there's Swedish person on there.
Ya a fucken disneyland on my Mayan ancestors land will not succeed
Conex, conex palanxen, xicubin, xicubin yocolquin. - Aguante fuerte mis pueblos. Nuestro dia ja viene. As a 1st Generation Mayan-American this registers beyond an emotional level. My ancestors weep for my son's sons, may they one day walk the forest of my family before it is nothing but pictures and oral history.
Amazing thank you vice for provide a space to those that can't be heard , I hope Guatemalan know that history and heritage is important for the future it will be a shame to see their treasure converted into Disneyland.
Typical American Style
1) go to a under / lesser developed nation
2) find something of value
3) make it look like you've discovered it
4) take the natives (politician preferred) and show him/her own country parts
5) publicize large sum of dollar (eventhough a fraction will only be spent)
6) reap all the benefits
7) show loss or trash it in man-made calamity and blame opposition of the project
8) collect insurance and ask Govt' for more money and no taxes on gains or no charges on taking all the cash elsewhere.
exactly
Meh that's human nature in general all people have done it one way or another in history.
@@chrisortiz8072 however capitalist expansionist ideas are more common in white Americans.. should be obvious what the og commenter meant
European style***
Did he just imply we are all potheads?
Kick that idiot out of your country
Yes he did I hope the Gautamale people and the government get to see this documentary .. so they can see what this pig really think of my Fellow Brothers
YES AND WE ARE PEOPLE WITH OUT A VISION,
HE HAD VISION, $ 60,000.000.00 MILLIONS DOLLARS VISION.
YOU SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
HE NEED TO GO HOME, WHEREVER IS HIS PLACE.
Dr. Richard Hansen's vision is his own, not of the people that live there and call it home.
"History does not repeat itself, but is often rhymes" -MT
HIS VISION $ 60,000.000.00 MILLIONS DOLLARS AND TO BE THE MESSIAH THAT DISCOVER THE REAL LAND OF THE MORMONS, JUST IMAGINE THAT CIRCUS.
It would be nice to compare this project with Machu Pichu, since the UK was the one who did Machu Pichu´s Train and owns the only hotel at the mountain top. A research about the benefit that the train (with UK investment) brought to the rest of the country and compare it with this project. Please let us know when you put it out.
You know how America took over most of native American reservations? They made a railroad straight through the middle of the land. I see what they're doing lol. Can't be sly.
They also took land from native Americans to build the wall
No they didn't "take over MOST", look at a map of the US with the Native American reservations in a different color. Plus when you look at the law, reservations are almost treated as sovereign nations.
@@aidenk7047 what's the point of it when the land you occupy is worthless.. having native blood I can say I don't hate americans as they did what all humans have done throughout history but it still sucks lol
THIS ONE HAVE $ 60,000.000.00 MILLIONS OF REASONS WHY, PLUS THE LAND PLUS THE SLAVES THAT ARE THE LOCAL AND WILL WORK FOR THEM FOREVER...................................... THIS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN.
He’s Mormon, they are their own breed
This is all about capitalism. Some places should be left alone. I've been to Tikal and it's absolutely amazing but there are places that should be hard to get to and left as they are so that they are not ruined by today's people with no appreciation for anything.
"This is all about capitalism" Ironically, so is Mormonism. My understanding of Joseph Smith is that he had the sensibility of a true American entrepreneur. Not unlike L. Ron Hubbard.
Went to El Mirador. It is amazing. I’m glad I got to go before the mainstream tourists got to it.
Thank you vice for true reporting. It’s important to develop and help others learn from the past just as in Egypt or the romans. But it’s imperative to help the surrounding community to develop and expand from where others will just take advantage.
This is not your Land!!!!!!!
I'm Guatemalan and although it seems that this project is soon to become a reality, it will surely never happen. Politicians in Guatemala have the tendency to take an interest in something for a short period of time and this project is not an exception. Hansen's amusement park will die as just what it really is, an illusion.
I hope you are correct. Watching this video made my skin crawl and all I could think regarding the politicians in Guatemala "bola de vendidos"
My family is from jalisco..and I think its not a good idea... it's a shame to build stuff like that its soo sacred and historic... I'm a an Aztec and Maya also 😍..
I hope so!
Amen Ra to that
@@prettylady7707 girl what..
I truly hope the Guatemalan government doesn't allow it. Of course, for that to happen, they need to not be corrupt.
My wife and I just completed 5 day hike to El Mirador. I have heard completely different story from expats living in Guatemala. People said that Cooperativa Carmelita is evil, their logging is not sustainable. Local driver told me in Spanish that cutting one cedar tree in the forest causes destruction of many more trees, and those concessions cause a lot of damage to the environment. I have heard the opposite opinion that Richard Hansen is the only one who cares about that cultural heritage to be preserved. I don’t take any sides, I just wanted a cool hike, but ended up in the middle of heated discussion.
And this is what US branded colonialism looks like in 2020, Fing make America great a la 1973 style, sans pinochet
calling my ancestors and family pot heads. thank you
and saying we have "no vision". Thats always nice to hear
This is the kind of great reporting I come to Vice for. 👍👍👍
I think if he coordinated more with locals and give certain first hand rights to the land instead of using it himself. They should own it and have power to make decisions and he should try and make profits, that will help both
I'm sorry, but the community lives there, it's their home. They get the final say, if they don't like it then too bad for Dr. Richard.
It’s insane it seems like they truly believe the Mormons built the pyramids 😭
Any updates on this situation?
This is so sad to me as I’ve been to all these ruins and my family went to America to seek refuge from poverty in Guatemala so seeing this happen hurts me so much becuase it’s such beautiful sights
We already see enough tourists there ruining our culture overwatch there man!! They don’t even sell their own food! They’re going towards the averegae white man with burgers and fries and stuff like that this is so fucking outrageous
I'm Guatemalan and this ain't right
Then please act
Write letters to your local representative and/or the President. I'll get a friend to translate into Spanish for me, maybe a Western voice will be heard
As Guatemalans we will fight to protect this beautiful area and its rich history. But keep in mind the proposal is currently on the US senate, so we'll need the help of the good Americans for that.
¡Protesten! ¡No se dejen!
We are not Puerto Rico that us citizens can't just come to my country and do what they feel and little by little push the communities out and turn those amazing places in to a Disney Land. Hell nooooo 🇬🇹
As a Puerto Rican, no se dejen! No se los dejen trepar porque una vez están ahí no se van. Lo destrozan y compran todo, después los locales no tienen nada. A la primera que se apruebe y ponga una sola piedra, quémenlo! Si es en medio de árboles y es peligroso pero si los dejan los van a perder todo como quiera. ¡Mucha fuerza!
A friend and I went to El Mirador 5 years ago. I had never heard of Richard Hansen before then. He is very important in Guatemala as he uncovered many of the archeological sites in the Peten Region. In fact, many would agree that the reason there is even a tourism industry in the Peten (Mayan) region is because of him. From what I've read, he is very instrumental in increasing the prominence of Guatemala's cultural heritage. He also employs locals in the excavation and restoration of archaeological sites, so I do have some respect for his work. That being said, when my tour guide explained to me that Hansen was trying to link the Mormon history with the Mayan History, I was legitimately shocked. Since then, I have read more on this topic. Although I'm no expert, if you ask me, this is simply a way for Hansen to legitimize a religion (Mormonism) that many view as fabricated an illegitimate. One thing I will say, is that any prominence Hansen has brought to the region has come at a heavy cost. If you ever have the chance to visit El Mirador, I highly recommend the two-day hiking option in which you will be able to see all the looted sites that the locals pillaged after the excavation projects ran out of money in the 80's and ended. What resulted was locals who were now trained in identifying the sites with artifacts/objects and other treasures, which they then looted. They are scattered all over the Peten region and are very easy to identify. According to my tour guide, who by the way is a local who works for Hansen restoring sites, may of the treaures that were looted by the local and other robbers were sold very cheaply to collectors just so they could ahve enough money survive, but others used the money for alcohol and partying. Many of these beautiful Mayan vases are now in private collections and even in some museums. So, if you ask me, Hansen's opinions about the Guatemalan's having no vision are not entirely groundless. I sense that the politicans want to change thatm I just don't think Hansen's vision is any better. A mini-train in to the region? Really? Anyway, I highly recommend going there. Visit Guatemla City and Antigua, Go to Tikal, and then take 3-5 day trip and go to El Mirador, you will love it if you like solitude. Just try to go when it's not mosquito season like I did. I have heard horror stories about the mosquitos.
Hansen's vision is the $ 60,000.000.00 plus more to come, and also to be in the
Mormon History forever like the guy who finally found the PROMISE LAND, who
he think he is, if you talk about that local people sale artifacts that they found on the search for sites on the land, IMAGINE WHAT MR. RIGHT HAVE TAKEN AND SALE IT AROUND THE GLOBE, I pray to this never happen, NEVER, NEVER.
As a Guatemalan, I feel offended that a foreign person is trying to take something that belongs to our country. This belongs to our native people. You don’t get to build your “Disneyland” at a site that is sacred. I hope we can stop this greedy “archeologist”.
Please sign this. As a mayan descendent I'm extremely upset.
www.change.org/SaveMayanCulture
I still don't understand how Mormons are connected to this
He wants to attract more Mormon tourists to El Mirador because some people believe that setting of The Book of Mormon was in Mesoamerica
La historia que les falta la quieren. Porque su historia por si misma no es verídica ni certera. Entonces se quieren apropiar de las culturas preamericanas para unirlas a su historia de "Lamanitas y Nefitas" y que así todo tenga sentido. Es unir una mentira con años de antigüedad
Money
Read up on them and you will understand they always had a plan to capitalize $$ on what ever they could
THEY ARE CONNECTED BY LIES AND DESPERATION TO BE PART OF SOMETHING SO BIG, AND MARVELOUS LIKE THE SACRED MAYA LAND.
They came from Mmmm no place, then this is the BIG LIE THEY CAN SAID TO HUMANITY, WE ARE POWERFUL BECAUSE OUR ANCESTORS, BLA,BLA,BLA.
This never going to happen, NEVER.
@13:25.
Really?
The entire country?
Gtfo
this whole video made me so mad
Finally, there might be McDonald's and Burger King fast food near the pyramids.
Will there be a second part?
Great. Now it's gonna be the McMayan ruins™... 😕
I saw the new McMayan Value Meal today at Mickey D's...🍔 🍟
@@walkernicholasbarr8703 like the English, french and then americans didn't slaughter any Native Americans. It was a 3 continent Genocide
THE CAUCASITY!!!!! 😤
I am Guatemalan 100%, the idea of developing a small train to tour around a precious Jungle is just a project like Disneyland, SeaWorld and all the them in the USA.
Keep your project for yourself and leave Guatemala alone.
Your idea Richard is pure Rubbish, Rubbish and Rubbish
*Here comes Christianity again to save the day* 🙄
Worse, Mormonism. Not Christian, just pretending to be.
I swear nothing is safe anymore. 😑
Okay so how do we stop this guy from bringing his plans to life? I’m Guatemalan .. and this is tragic for me ...
Jajajajajajaja nos dijo "marihuanos sin visión". Si yo lo fuera, estaría como lgp jajajaja
Guatemala does need more tourism. But you need to get the violence n poverty n robbery under control first if not tourism will never grow.
Don't hold your breath...
@@LudwinV Well all those things require funding and investments to start and sustain, and guess where Guatemala can get some money to help with that, from tourism.
When you see a Mexican saying to not go to Guatemala to make tourism is telling you: COME TO VISIT MEXICO AND DO NOT VISIT GUATEMALA
Guatemala doesn't need money from tourism. They need to wipe there corrupt government as well as the streets. US needs to stay out, don't they hate blacks and Hispanics anyways? Stay out!
@@xavierlehnhoff1562 we don't want tourists in mexico either
*I love Buddhist and Hindu temples in THAILAND. Every one of them can be found online but it's not the same as going to them and seeing. HERE WE HAVE a situation where loads of people will come in and put money into Americans hands. See the sights and go home. Why would the Guatemalan people want this. It's sacred, maybe it should be difficult to reach*
I hope the cartels end this madness.
This video riles me an insane amount and I literally don’t know what to do besides get so angry/upset this is still happening that I make my veins pop out on my forehead and get a headache 🥴
im gonna be mad if this project happens
Sign this petition and call your senator if you live in the u.s. so that it wont! www.change.org/p/us-senate-stop-bill-s-3131-mirador-calakmul-basin-maya-security-and-conservation-partnership-act?
We can stop it
hell noh!! we have to stop it.. unless the project would benefit the locals but without this dude onboard. and has to be 100% Guatemalas and locals NOT PRIVATE #PUBLIC
It’s already happening. They’re construction state and according to their website, it will be done in 2026
@3:40 What a disgusting way to express your thoughts about those humble people, he literally called them ignorant!
“They helped build the pyramids” give me a break
As a guatemalan i am extremely disgusted by your video and the intention of turning our history into a luxury hotel among other horrible attractions. This will not only destroy such an emblematic monument from our culture, but will kill the flora and wildlife native from the area. This is ridiculous, disgusting, frustrating and makes me feel powerless. We don’t have a vision? this isn’t supposed to be Universal Studios, it belongs to the mayan culture we belong to and i can’t believe how there’s people that wants to do profit from a culture that isn’t even theirs...
Wow, talk about horrific bias in the name of so called science.
I would not call him an archeologist with that kind complete insult of the local indigenous population!
His statement about Guatemalans being stoned really bothered me... that was very disrespectful of him after he is trying to profit off of the site
Wow! Great job vice!
How are the authorities dealing with drug cartel and gang wars there we’ve not heard about it for a while. I think the Mayas would kick the Mormons in their arse.