Andrea Ixchíu

Andrea Ixchíu
Born
Andrea Isabel Ixchíu Hernández

(1987-09-11) 11 September 1987
Totonicapán, Guatemala
EducationUniversidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, 2016
Occupations

Andrea Isabel Ixchíu Hernández (born 11 September 1987) is a Maya-K’iche’ and Guatemalan human rights activist, land defender, journalist and filmmaker.[1][2][3][4] In 2012, Ixchíu was the first women to be elected the President of the Board of Natural Resources of the 48 Cantones of Totonicapán.[2][5][6]

Early life and education

Ixchíu was born 11 September 1987 in Totonicapán to Pedro Ixchíu, a lawyer, and Auri Hernández, a social worker.[6][7] The eldest of three siblings Ixchíu is the older sister of Lucia Ixchíu, a filmmaker, human rights activist, and journalist, and Gabriela Ixchíu, an activist.[7][8][9]

Initially studying biology, Ixchíu later studied law at the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala[7] and graduated in 2016.

Career

In November 2012, Ixchíu became the first female President of the Board of Natural Resources of the 48 Cantones of Totonicapán, the Kʼicheʼ authority for the Totonicapán Department.[2][5][6]

On 16 February 2019, Ixchíu organised and participated in the "Artists in Action against corruption and impunity" [a] march in Guatemala City.[8][10] During the march Ixchíu, her sister Lucia and José Hernández, a member of the Citizens' Assembly, were verbally and physically assaulted by Leonel Quiñonez, a military officer.[8][10] On 22 September 2020, Ixchíu, her sisters and her brother-in-law the journalist Carlos Cano were beaten and attacked with machetes whilst documenting illegal loggers in Totonicapán.[9][4][11]

In 2021, Ixchíu attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference but was not allowed to fully participate in the proceedings.[12]

Since 2022 Ixchíu has lived in exile in Mexico.[11][13]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2017 500 Years Self Directed by Pamela Yates [2][4]
2019 Cho Ukayib’al [b] Director Short film [4]

Notes

  1. ↑ Spanish: Artistas en acción contra la corrupción y la impunidad
  2. ↑ K'iche': To Look Deeply

References

  1. ↑ "Andrea Ixchíu Hernández". Center for Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity. Stanford, California: Stanford University. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Escobar, Guadalupe (2026). Decolonial Witnessing. Cold War Afterlives in Latin American and Latinx Testimonios. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press. ISBN 9781477333716.
  3. ↑ "Speakers; Andrea Isabel Ixchíu". World Press Freedom Day. UNESCO. 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Yates, Pamela. "On the Horizon: An Interview with Andrea Ixchíu Hernández". Skylight. Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Sister to Sister Mentorship Program 2014". Nobel Women's Initiative. Ottawa, Canda. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "Guatemala; Andrea Ixchíu". Activistas por la vida (in Spanish). Asociación Entrepueblos. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "La lucha de Chewbacca (perfil de Andrea Ixchíu)". Nómada (in Spanish). Guatemala City, Guatemala. 18 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 "Andrea Ixchiu y Lucía Ixchiu". IM-Defensoras (in Spanish). Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Mujeres Defensoras de Derechos Humanos. 17 February 2019. Archived from the original on 21 January 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  9. 1 2 García, Jovanna (23 September 2020). "Agresión a periodistas y artistas Andrea, Lucía y Gabriela Ixchíu y Carlos Cano ayer en Totonicapán". Ruda. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  10. 1 2 Guitiérrez, Christian (18 February 2019). "Activistas denuncian agresión durante movilización de artistas". La Hora (in Spanish). Guatemala City, Guatemala. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  11. 1 2 Taracena, María Inés (23 March 2023). "Indigenous Leaders Are Being Forced Into Exile". The Nation. New York City. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  12. ↑ "Indigenous Environmental Defenders Notably Absent from COP26 Discussions". GHRC USA. Guatemala Human Rights Commission / USA. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "Andrea Ixchíu: Journalist and Co-Founder, Hackeo Cultural Guatemala". Biennial of the Americas. Denver, Colorado. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
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