UN: Racism warning to Guatemala

The UN Development Programme has urged Guatemala to overcome what it called "historically racist attitudes" towards indigenous peoples.

Unless Guatemalans end this situation, the country could become ungovernable, the UNDP report warns.

There are crucial social and economic differences between aborigines and people of European or mixed indigenous origins – known as Ladinos, it added.

Maya Indians make up about 50% of population – most live in poverty.

According to the UN report, on average the Ladino majority in Guatemala earns more than twice the monthly income of their indigenous counterparts.

Source: BBC News