In the early 1980’s military repression rose to unprecedented levels in Guatemala. During this time, the U.S. government was supplying the Guatemalan government with military aid.  200,000 people were killed or “disappeared” and 626 massacres occurred in which whole villages were often completely destroyed.  The indigenous majority was a target as the government believed their farming communities were bases for rebel groups.  Thousands fled the country, crossing the border into Mexico.  In 1992 these refugees negotiated with the government to allow a safe return to Guatemala. They began to return in organized groups in 1993 and have since been working to reestablish their communities in their homeland.