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US Central Intelligence Agency
The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency backed a coup commanded by Colonel Carlos Castillo Armas against the democratically-elected president, Jacobo Arbenz. He was considered a communist threat, especially after legalizing the communist party and moving to nationalize the plantations of the United Fruit Company. Following the coup, Castillo was declared president, and set about reversing land reforms that benefited poor farmers. He also removed voting rights for illiterate Guatemalans. -
Guatemala’s 36-year Civil War Begins
Guatemala’s 36-year civil war began as left-wing guerilla groups started battling government military forces. The country was now under autocratic rule by Gen. Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes, who assumed power in 1958 following the murder of Col. Castillo Armas. The long conflict was marked by abductions and violence, including mutilations and public dumping of bodies. -
Civilian Rule and Cesar Mendez
Civilian rule was restored to Guatemala and Cesar Mendez was elected president, but the civil war only intensified with a major counterinsurgency campaign by the army. -
Military-backed Carlos Arana
Military-backed Carlos Arana was elected president, and he immediately placed the country under a state of siege, giving the military more control over civilians. For the next decade, a series of military-dominated governments escalated violence against guerilla groups and indigenous communities. -
The Inter-American Human Rights Commission
The Inter-American Human Rights Commission released a report blaming the Guatemalan government for thousands of illegal executions and missing persons in the 1970s, and documenting accounts of the slaughter of members of Indian communities. -
General Efrain Rios Montt
General Efrain Rios Montt seized power following a military coup. He dissolved Congress and suspended political parties. He formed local civilian defense patrols with the military in the country and rural indigenous regions, through he was able to reclaim most guerrilla territory. This crackdown against the newly-united coalition, the Guatemalan Revolutionary National Unity, marks one of the most violent periods of the civil war during which a large number of indigenous civilians killed. -
A New Constitution
A new constitution was drafted and democratic elections for president resumed two years after Montt was ousted in another coup. -
President Jorge Serrano
Then-President Jorge Serrano illegally dissolved Congress and the Supreme Court and restricted civil rights, but was later forced to resign. -
President Ramiro de Leon Carpio
Under President Ramiro De Leon Carpio, the former human rights ombudsman, peace talks between the government and rebels of the Guatemalan Revolutionary National Unity began and agreements were signed on several issues including human rights. -
Alvaro Arzu
A new president, Alvaro Arzu, was chosen in a runoff election. Under Arzu peace negotiations were finalized. Peace accords ending the 36-year internal conflict were signed in December of 1996.
