Guatemala: Civil War (1960-1996)
Part II
S TART OF THE CIVIL WAR
 After the overthrow of President
Jacobo Arbenz in 1954, the Guatemalan
government became ruled by military
dictators.
 In the early 1960s guerilla groups
emerge following the government's
repression. In response, “death squads"
begin to emerge and they target alleged
"subversives" for elimination.
THE CIVIL WAR: 1970-1980
In the 1970s, guerrilla and
political leaders, trade unionists and
student activists are targeted for
murder or "disappearance".
Up to one million (mostly)
Mayan peasants will be recruited
into the “Civilian Civil Defense
Patrols” in 1980s. (Frijoles y
Fusiles).
U.S. INVOLVEMENT
The US begins to supply the
Guatemalan Army, claiming it is
the guerilla groups who are
responsible for the violence.
EFRAIN RIOS MONTT
 In 1982, Efrain Ríos Montt takes
control of the country, cancels the
constitution, dissolves parliament,
and becomes dictator.
 The 14 months of Ríos Montt's
rule will become the bloodiest in
Guatemala's history.
RIGOBERTA MENCHU
Guatemalan human
rights activist Rigoberta
Menchu is awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize "in
recognition of her work for
social justice” in 1992.
END OF THE CIVIL WAR
In 1995, guerilla groups declare a
cease-fire. A year later (December
29), guerrilla groups and the
government sign the 'Accord for
Firm and Lasting Peace.'
President Bill Clinton visits
Guatemala in 1998 and publicly
apologizes for his country's support
of Guatemala's past regimes.
“MEMORY OF SILENCE” REPORT
 200,000 Killed
 47,000 Disappeared
 440 Villages Destroyed
 1 Million People Displaced
 250,000 Refugees
 95% of the Killing committed by the Military
 Over 90% of Human Rights violations committed by Military
 83% of Victims are Mayan