El Niño Shadow Looms, Guatemalan Indigenous Village Fears Return of Famine
Drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon is ravaging the indigenous village of Cunen, Guatemala. Wells are drying up, crops are threatened, and approximately 2.5 million people are at risk of a food crisis. Residents fear a repeat of the famine, especially with a lack of government policy support. The El Niño is expected to form between June and August.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 16:09
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(CNA, Cunen, 3rd, Combined Foreign Reports) The shadow of climate turmoil caused by the El Niño phenomenon is approaching. Drought continues to ravage the indigenous village of Cunen in Guatemala, leaving residents with only one thought: the fear of starving to death.
According to AFP, Cunen is located in a mountainous area with poor transportation. Most of its approximately 47,000 residents live in poverty and rely on well water. However, no rain has fallen, and the wells are gradually drying up. Farmers fear the water shortage will destroy their crops, which are their livelihood.
Lucia Rojop, 43, said, "We eat what we grow. If it doesn't rain, what will we do?"
Her fears are not unfounded. Due to the ongoing drought and the high likelihood of a strong El Niño cycle returning, approximately 2.5 million people in Guatemala are at risk of a food crisis.
Cunen is located in the department of Quiché, a Maya indigenous region, and lies at the heart of the "Dry Corridor." The Dry Corridor is a dry mountainous area stretching across Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, highly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
In 2023, Guatemala experienced a food crisis triggered by El Niño, and Quiché was one of the hardest-hit areas. Some fear that without government policy assistance, a famine crisis could occur again.
The current El Niño is expected to form between June and August, triggering a global chain reaction that will last for months. (Editor: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150603
According to AFP, Cunen is located in a mountainous area with poor transportation. Most of its approximately 47,000 residents live in poverty and rely on well water. However, no rain has fallen, and the wells are gradually drying up. Farmers fear the water shortage will destroy their crops, which are their livelihood.
Lucia Rojop, 43, said, "We eat what we grow. If it doesn't rain, what will we do?"
Her fears are not unfounded. Due to the ongoing drought and the high likelihood of a strong El Niño cycle returning, approximately 2.5 million people in Guatemala are at risk of a food crisis.
Cunen is located in the department of Quiché, a Maya indigenous region, and lies at the heart of the "Dry Corridor." The Dry Corridor is a dry mountainous area stretching across Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, highly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
In 2023, Guatemala experienced a food crisis triggered by El Niño, and Quiché was one of the hardest-hit areas. Some fear that without government policy assistance, a famine crisis could occur again.
The current El Niño is expected to form between June and August, triggering a global chain reaction that will last for months. (Editor: Chang Ming-hsuan) 1150603