Jennifer de la Cruz
Guatemala City
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Guatemala
"What I would do if I were in charge is eliminate state capture , because we know it serves dark and private interests. If we want a state that answers to its citizens, we must eliminate state capture."
"I draw a red line against corruption - those who play with people's lives for personal gain."
"I draw a red line against corruption - those who play with people's lives for personal gain."
I became an activist when I realised that corruption was affecting me and my family, especially my father. When I realised that peddling influence was valued more than meritocracy.
The goal of my activism is empowering young people in politics.
One of my biggest challenges is participating in a patriarchal system where women face multiple barriers in politics, and suffer attacks on social media and in person. And also adult-centrism, which remains a problem in Guatemala and broadly in Latin America. It is important to show that young people’s voices matter and that we can lead decision-making.
I am inspired by the hope of a better country where young people can get involved in politics and be decision makers.
Jennifer de la Cruz is a student at the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, a former opposition candidate for the University’s Governing Council, a political content creator, and a student activist.
Passionate about politics and committed to defending public education, Jennifer works to build a more just and participatory future for young people.
Jennifer has taken part in dialogue and leadership spaces at national and international levels, promoting the voice of youth in processes of social transformation.
Jennifer coordinates a national organisation that defends the human rights of young people and the Latin American Youth Forum, which seeks to promote democracy and human rights.
Meet The Photographer
Jacobo Quan
Jacobo Quan is a Guatemalan photographer, born in 1979, who sees himself as a dedicated observer of human emotions. His main drive is to capture these feelings, ensuring their permanence for posterity.
This interest naturally led him to specialize in social event photography where his lens focuses on the authentic, shared moments of people's lives. Beyond professional commissions, he has dedicated time to collaborating with foundations that aid communities in Guatemala using his camera as a tool for social awareness and support.
For him, photography extends beyond technical skill; it is deeply rooted in human connection. He greatly enjoys engaging in conversations to learn people’s stories and values spending quality time with family and friends.
A passionate learner, his curiosity is not confined to the visual arts. He maintains a profound interest in reading, history, culture, and traditions, elements that continually enrich his perspective and inform the sensitivity of his photographic work.
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