Brutal Civil War

A Brief History of the Guatemalan Civil War.

More than 200,00 people were killed over the course of the 36 year long civil war that began in 1960 and ended with peace accords in 1996.  The fighting was between the left wing guerrilla groups and the government military forces.  83% of those killed were Mayan and 93% of human rights violations carried out during the conflict were done by state forces and military groups.  The long conflict was marked by abductions and violence, including mutilation and public dumping of bodies.  

Not to mention that the U.S. trained officers in counterinsurgency techniques and assisted the national intelligence apparatus.  The C.I.A. backed a coup commanded by Colonel Carlos Castillo Armas against the democratically elected president Jacobo Arbenz.  The U.S. considered Arbenz a communist threat after legalizing the communist party and moving to nationalize the plantations of the United Fruit Company. 

 (Montt with former President Reagan)

After the coup, Castillo was declared president and set about reversing land reform that benefited poor farmers.  He also removed voting rights for illiterate Guatemalans.  

During the 1970's a series of military dominated governments escalated violence against guerrilla groups and indigenous communities.  In 1981 the Inter-American Human Rights Commission released a report blaming the Guatemalan government for thousands of illegal executions and missing persons in the 70's, and documenting accounts of the slaughter of members of the Indian communities.  

(A demonstration of all the missing people from the Civil War)

Enter General Efrain Rios Montt, who in 1982 seized power following a military coup.  He annulled the 1965 constitution, dissolved Congress and suspended political parties.  In the countryside and in rural indigenous areas, Montt formed local civilian defense patrols to work alongside the army.  Through this he was able to reclaim most guerrilla territory.  It was at this point however that marks one of the most violent periods of the civil war during which a large number of indigenous civilians were slaughtered.  

(Montt circa 1982)

(Montt today awaiting trial)

In 1985, a new constitution was drafted and democratic elections were held after Montt was ousted in another coup.  Peace talks began in 1994, and by 1996 peace accords were signed ending the 36 year internal conflict.  Today, almost 15 years after the end of the civil war, violence and intimidation continue to be a major problem in political and civilian life