Complete Thesis_double spaced abstract.pdf

agrarian reform in 1952. The student group led a rebellion in Salamá, north of Guatemala City,
and the landowners organized the Committees to Defend the Land and Civic Unions with the
express goal of “killing agrarian leaders” (REMHI, 1999, 186). Once the CIA backed coup of
President Arbenz was successful the level of violence increased dramatically. Under the Armas
regime and with the help of the United States the National Liberation Movement (MLN), the
Preventative Criminal Law against Communism, and the National Committee for Defense
Against Communism were established. Efforts to eradicate communism from Guatemala were
blessed by the Catholic Church hierarchy. After the coup of Arbenz 1,000 labor and political
leaders escaped Guatemala and applied for asylum outside of the state. Another 17,000 alleged
supporters were arrested, taken prisoner, and in many instances tortured. Approximately 2,000
were exiled and 8,000 peasants were killed. 25
The National Committee for Defense Against
Communism had the task of arresting any individual engaging in any activities that could be
considered communist. Once an individual was placed on the list they were “barred from
government office or employment;” six months after the coup there were “seventy-two thousand
people on the committee’s list” (REMHI, 1999, 189).
The purges of labor leaders, students, professors, communists and community organizers
after the 1954 coup led to an increase in civilian rebellions. The November 13 revolt and the
subsequent revolts in 1961 resulted after the military killed Lieutenant Alejandro de Leon Aragon
on the 13-de Noviembre. His death served as a catalyst for different rebel groups, who then
began to form coalitions. These new groups became the target of government forces and endured
new rounds of political violence during President Ydígoras’ term in office. When the military
was able to locate rebel groups most often they would wipe out the entire group. This was the
case with the twenty three members of the 20 de Octubre Guerrilla Front in March of 1962.
25 Cited in Jonas and REMHI.
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