Volunteers count the ballots cast in a November 2010 referendum regarding mining licenses granted in the area of Huitán, a small municipality in Quetzaltenango. 6,758 residents in the predominantly Maya Mam municipality voted against mining projects while 30 voted in favor.

On November 29, 2010, representatives of Cabricán (Quetzaltenango), Santa Cruz del Quiché and Uspantán (El Quiché) traveled to the capital to present to the national authorities the results of community referenda held in the three municipalities. Upon exiting the building housing the Guatemalan Congress, community leaders from the three municipalities denounced that officials cited to receive the results of referenda held in their municipalities did not show up.