Guatemala

Civil War
By: Bianca Ramirez
 Overview

The conflict officially Roughly 200,000

The conflict started in ended with the individuals either lost
November 1960 signature of the Peace their lives or
Accords in December disappeared during the
1996 36 years long war
 What was it like?
From 1979 to 1984, Guatemala experienced the most
violent period of the conflict. Countless massacres,
indiscriminate violence and campaigns of terror
occurred in departments where indigenous
populations are the majority such as Quiche,
Huehuetenango, Chimaltenango and Alta Verapaz

The government and army suspected that indigenous

communities were the bases for the guerrillas
leading to indiscriminate violence against these
communities. At the same time, land disputes
between indigenous and non‐indigenous peasants
and landed elites (and multinational companies) led
to peasant arrests, human rights violations and
massacres during this period
 End Finally, a culminating accord established a
timetable for implementation of all agree
ments, legal reinsertion of URNG combata
nts into Guatemalan society, and amnesty f
In May, 1996, the Accord on Socioeconomic and Ag or the military. This allowed the URNG lead
rarian Issues offered some economic reforms, tho ership to return legally from Mexico to an e
motional reception in Guatemala City on D
ugh it was widely protested by civil society organiz
ecember 28, 1996, where the signing of th
ations as insufficient to address the magnitude of e Accord for a Firm and Lasting Peace took
economic problems underlying the conflict. In Sep place on the following day.
tember, 1996, the demilitarization accord stipulate
d substantial reforms to curtail the power of the G
uatemalan military and to reestablish its subordin
ation to civilian state control. It also provided for ju
dicial reforms and the abolition of government
sponsored paramilitary civilian patrols.
 Facts in numbers
Violence persisted in the last 11 years of the conflict;
however, the number of disappearances, assassinations and
massacres sharply decreased after 1985. Factors such as the
end of the Cold War, the transition to democratic civil
governments and the weakening of the guerrillas contributed
to the end of the Guatemalan Civil War, officialized with the
signature of the Peace Accords in 1996.
According to CEH, the Government of Guatemala
committed 93% of the human rights violations in the
36 years of armed confrontation and 83% of the victims
were indigenous individuals from Mayan ethnic groups,
especially those living in the Department of Quiche. On that
time over 40% of all violence occurred in Quiche. Quiche's
population is 88.6% Mayan, according to Guatemala's
Institute of Statistics and is the homeland of the K'iche Maya
people.
 Emma Molina Theissen

a courageous Guatemalan activist, endured horrific abuse at the hands of the

military after being apprehended for her political activities. Despite
facing torture and rape during her captivity, Emma managed to escape,
showcasing immense resilience and determination. However, her
moment of freedom was overshadowed by the retaliation her family
faced, particularly her brother Marco Antonio's disappearance. For over
three decades, justice eluded them, but in a significant turn of events in
2016, five senior military officials were finally apprehended in
connection with the crimes against Emma and her family. Subsequently,
in 2018, four of these officials were convicted for their roles in
orchestrating and carrying out the atrocities committed against Emma
and her loved ones, providing a measure of closure and accountability
after years of impunity.
 Help How are people helping current
victims
The Guatemalan Civil War, which officially ended in
1996, left a lasting impact on many communities.
Today, various organizations and initiatives work
to support the victims and address the ongoing
consequences of the conflict. Some efforts include
providing psychosocial support, advocating for
justice and reparations, promoting reconciliation
and dialogue, and assisting with economic
development and access to education and
healthcare. Non-profit organizations, international
agencies, and local grassroots initiatives all play
roles in helping current victims and their
communities heal and rebuild.
 Education/Call to
action
Efforts to prevent conflicts similar to the Guatemalan Civil War,
which ended in 1996, encompass a multifaceted approach. This
approach includes advocacy efforts to raise awareness about human
rights abuses and social injustices, peacebuilding initiatives aimed at
fostering dialogue and reconciliation among different groups, political
and institutional reforms targeting corruption and inequality,
community development programs addressing socioeconomic
disparities, and international support through diplomacy and aid. By
addressing the underlying issues that contribute to conflict and
promoting peace, justice, and inclusive governance, these efforts
strive to create a more stable and equitable society
 Works Cited
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Schroeder, M., J. (2016). Guatemalan civil war. In Facts on File (Ed.), World History: A Comprehensive
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