Power

Over the past year I have thought a lot about electricity.  In Canada, we experienced power outages, but always because of a storm or when the power company was working on the line.  We expected to have access to electricity and usually did. 
Since living in Guatemala, and particularly in Chisec, I have come to appreciate having access to electricity more than I ever used to.  In our area of the country there has been a battle going on between the people and the power company.  The problem is really pretty simple:  the average person cannot afford to pay what the power company is charging for electricity. 

Let me explain.  In Canada, for example, the average power bill takes up approximately 5% of a person's monthly income.  In Chisec, it is closer to 20% - 25%.  In fact, if they have more than just a few light bulbs  - like say a fridge, TV and a microwave - it could be much higher.  So, in the past the majority of people where we live didn't have electricity because it was not affordable.  Then came along an organization named CODECA.  Essentially, their position was and is that it's unconstitutional to charge this rate for electricity and they simply took matters into their own hands.  They went around to the small communities and disconnected their legal power line and reconnected them illegally.  CODECA charges the family Q20 instead of Q150 and everyone is happy.  Everyone, that is, except Energuate.   
At first, Energuate, the power company, would send workers (along with armed guards) into communities to disconnect the illegal connections, but that became too dangerous.  And so, as people saw that there was really no consequence to stealing electricity, more and more people signed up with CODECA.  In fact they don't even try to keep it a secret.  As we drive from Coban to Chisec, we pass through a number of communities where CODECA has huge billboard style signs outlining what they are doing and the homes in the communities have CODECA signs on their home to indicate they are signed up with CODECA, not Energuate. 
At the end of the day, however, the problem remains that someone needs to pay for the illegally used power, because as we all know, a business is not going to take a loss.  So this translates into continually increasing energy costs to those who are upholding the law.  And, as prices continue to climb, more and more people join CODECA.  What a horrible cycle. 
So, that brings us to this past week.  On Thursday, Energuate had enough and simply cut off the electricity to our area.  They said they would not turn it back on until someone paid for all the stolen electricity (about 1 million quetzal).  They were prepared to leave the power off, regardless of the effect on those legitimate customers in the area.  By Monday morning, the community of Chisec was out of water, because the water needs to be pumped to the different areas of the community from the main cistern with an electric pump.  No electricity meant no water.  Also, all of the businesses that sell items needing refrigeration,  had very few options - buy or borrow a generator, sell off all their perishables for a discounted price, or let everything spoil.  Also, businesses were closed, and those revenues lost, including banks, so people (like us) had no access to their money.  Simply trying to keep the peace at night is a challenge for our little police force and the army detail for our area.  The fall-out of a purposeful removal of power from an area is far reaching.  And the most frustrating part is that those in the right - the people who have continued to pay their power bills even though the prices are ridiculous - seemingly have no voice. 
What do you do?  It is a broken system, and one not easily fixed.