Is this one documentary? There is no doubt that this program is an exercise in integrity and engaged radio making. However, it has a somewhat confusing format. The first part recounts a Guatemalan village's bloody history of war and fear, ostensibly to set up the larger report about its present in part two. Pero no...

Part two, after the 20-minute mark, is produced by another journalist who has a totally different philosphy of reportage. The stylistic differences are somewhat jarring. Part 1 comes off as slow and overly earnest when juxtaposed with part 2's quicker edits, more energetic story telling and richer sound use.

In part three we finally return to our Guatemalan village for another stylistic shift and the most successful segment. Here the program focuses on one young girl's personal story as she takes on life after a devastating war. And it is here the program is most effective at giving Guatemala's plight a human face.

Despite the high-quality writing, presentation and content, I'm left with a nagging feeling that these are actually two programs, segments 1 and 3 together, that would have been stronger if separated from segment 2.

Highly recommended for any discussion on the history of American foreign policy, Hispanic months and/or celebrations. Also part two is totally self contained and could be potentially used as a stand-alone piece as a segment in a magazine program.