Zona 13 in Ciudad de Guatemala in Guatemala Department, — Central America

Monument to the Indigenous People of Guatemala

Monumento a la Raza Indígena de Guatemala

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 10, 2025

1. Monument to the Indigenous People of Guatemala Marker

Note the text along the base of the monument in Spanish and K'iche'. Previously there were metal tablets that included the language of the decree but they have been removed or stolen over time.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Ki'che'
Etal Guague Cuxlataj Rech Chiquzhuach Huinac E Ral Uleu Sach Elesac Chupam Rumal Chomabal Ajaup Ki Kat Tzij No. 1995

Español
Este monumento perpetúa la gratitud de la raza indígena liberada por el decreto legislativo número 1995

English translation
This monument expresses the gratitud of the indigenous people for their liberation from the Legislative Decree Number 1995

Erected 1943.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1995.

Location. 14° 35.718′ N, 90° 31.197′ W. Marker is in Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala (Guatemala Department). It is in Zona 13. It is at the intersection of Bulevar Liberación and 7a Avenida, on the left when traveling west on Bulevar Liberación. The monument is in the median of Boulevar Liberacion, one of the busiest highways in Guatemala. The only way to approach the monument would be as a pedestrian, using the nearby overpass walkways. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Blvr Liberación 442, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala 00013, Guatemala.

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Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in North America,

specifically in Central America,

in Mesoamerica,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

and in the Western Hemisphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also a Spanish colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Simón Bolívar (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Antonio José de Irisarri (approx. half a kilometer away); Bernal Diaz de Castillo (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); El Viaje/The Journey (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); General Francisco de Paula Santander (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); José Cecilio del Valle (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Mario Dary Rivera (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Fire at the Spanish Embassy in Guatemala (approx. one kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ciudad de Guatemala.

Regarding Monument to the Indigenous People of Guatemala. The monument was created in 1943 by the architect Rafael Pérez de León. This is the only monument erected in the capital city that was paid for by the Mayan indigenous people in homage to the revocation of Legislative

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 10, 2025

2. Monument to the Indigenous People of Guatemala Marker

Decree No. 1995 dated May 7, 1934 (this decree gave rise to the creation of the Anti-Vagrancy Law, which compelled all individuals cultivating less than two acres of land to work between 100 and 150 days per year. The State subsequently placed these workers under the control of large farmers and landowners, increasing their control in rural areas). This decree was repealed by Decree No. 75 dated March 10, 1945, issued by the Revolutionary Government Junta regarding the Agricultural Labor Contracting Law; this was in turn ratified by Decree No. 102 dated May 9, 1945. These laws almost exclusively affected indigenous people, forcing them to construct roads, pick coffee and other unpaid labor. For its construction, each Mayan indigenous person in the country contributed one cent of a quetzal. A Committee for the Construction of the Monument was formed in 1942, made up of: Julián Sutuj, Teléforo Camey C., Domingo Ávila M., José Gregorio Bajxac, Nicolás Velásquez, Coronado Chitay E., Pedro Ambrosio, Jerónimo Tun, Eulalio Sutuj, Andrés López G., Doroteo Álvarez and Domingo Calam B.
(Translated from information from the Municipality of Guatemala)

Decree Tablet Previously on the Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 17, 2015

3. Decree Tablet Previously on the Monument

The monument previously had a tablet with the text of the decree that prohibited the practice of unpaid labor. This tablet is missing as of 2025.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, July 17, 2015

4. Monument to the Indigenous People of Guatemala Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2025, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2025, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on November 26, 2025, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.