Richard D. Hansen

He was named as "one of the 24 individuals that changed Latin America"[3] and his work has been an important contribution to the understanding of the development of Maya civilization.

Hansen has been criticized by indigenous rights groups in Guatemala for his support of the Mirador-Calakmul Basin Maya Security and Conservation Partnership Act of 2019.

Opponents have accused him of attacking the land rights of indigenous peoples and disrespecting the existing conservation laws in Guatemala.

He received the "Orden de la Monja Blanca) (highest civilian award possible) from the Ministry of Defense of Guatemala in November 2019.

[citation needed] Hansen was the co-founder of the Guatemala-China Association for Culture, Tourism and Sports based in Guatemala City.

[citation needed] Hansen's studies have identified some of the largest and earliest ancient cities in Central America, and his work has been an important contribution to the developmental history of Maya civilization.