Guatemala Blocks Entry to Dutch Nonprofit-Operated Boat Providing Abortions
Guatemala's army detained a boat carrying a supply of abortion pills on Thursday and prevented it from picking up women seeking to end their pregnancies, saying the move was prohibited by the country's constitution.
The boat, operated by Dutch nonprofit Women on Waves, was in military custody with some of its seven crew members still aboard after landing at a private pier at the Port of San Jose—75 miles (120 km) south of the capital, Leticia Zenevich, a spokeswoman for the group, said.
The organization provides free abortion services for women pregnant up to 10 weeks beyond the territorial waters of countries, where abortion is illegal.
The abortion pill—also known as a medication abortion—combines two medicines, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy. It is more than 90 percent effective for women up to 10 weeks pregnant.
