In one hillside hamlet in Alta Verapaz, which had a population of 570, a sign overlooking the town welcomed people to “An Ideologically New, Anti-Subversive Community.” The residents of another village said they lived “all piled up on top of each other…like chickens in a coop.” Everyone had to register with the army, and all movements were closely monitored. To travel anywhere required a special pass stating a destination and itinerary. In so-called security zones, where the military demanded hypervigilance, residents were forced to interrupt their work for an entire week to serve on civilian
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