In Memory of Glendis Gallardo Mendoza

Peten, Guatemala - It is with pain and sadness that we report the tragic murder of one our radio producers, collaborators and close friends, Ms. Glendis Gallardo Mendoza. Known to her friends as “Yeni,” she was returning home from an evening of uploading content to the New York office, on June 24, 2008, when unknown assailants took her laptop computer and ultimately her life in a tragic robbery.

Only 25 years old, Yeni was a long time youth activist and one of the founders of our partner organization la Asociacion Tan Ux’il, a community-based organization working to improve the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents and youth in Peten, Guatemala. She was the driving force behind the development and production of the radio drama “ The Roulette, ” and the weekly radio magazine show “Sex Tips,” she had become one of the popular hosts of the program, offering up advice to young people in the community on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Brenda Campos, Program Manager, from PCI-Media Impact remembered Yeni as “incredibly accomplished, creative, well-known in the community, and very respected as a youth voice and activist on SRHR issues.” Ms. Campos had spoken to her just hours before her death, confirming the receipt of the materials, talking to her about next steps. “ Yeni believed in building a more just and equitable world, and was actively working to achieve it,” said Natalia Vaccarezza, PCI-Media Impact’s Director of Programs. “ We will remember Yeni as a warm, open-hearted, vibrant, intelligent, and passionate soul.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends, and to everyone at la Asociacion Tan Ux’il at this difficult time. Her spirit lives on in everyone who was fortunate enough to know her, and in the many lives she touched each week on the radio. 

Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. More than 40 murders a week occur in Guatemala City alone. Although the majority of serious crime involves gangs or narcotics, random violent attacks for profit have increased in the past few years. Guns are commonly used, and there is a low arrest and conviction rate for perpetrators.

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