Complete Thesis_double spaced abstract.pdf

President Méndez’s term ends with the 1970 election of Colonel Arana the “jackal of
Zacapa” running on the PID platform. During the 1970 elections there is a 46.2% absentee rate;
Colonel Arana is elected by 22.1% of the eligible voters and 4.7% of the total population
(Encyclopedia of Latin American Politics, 123). As Colonel Arana came into his presidency
prices for agricultural commodities were dropping significantly and the CACM was
disintegrating. The elite classes and foreign investors were clamoring for a strong state response
to the growing social unrest. In response the unrest President Arana declares a state of siege for
one year of his presidency; the PGT is the target of massive government repression, the majority
of its leadership is killed or disappeared. Colonel Arana was elected by a coalition between PID
supporters and MLN supporters, both of whom desire an end to guerrilla activity. Similar to
General Ydígoras, Arana’s presidency was fraught with corruption and nepotism; his presidency
lasts until 1974. Colonel Arana’s exploits prior to his presidency, during his time as the military
commander in Zacapa, is discussed in the political violence section below. Similar to the 1950s
the 1960s are dominated with authoritarian rulers and an unstable state government. Between
1960 and 1973 Guatemala was ruled by four different presidents, three of whom were from the
military establishment and one of whom was a civilian. There were multiple coup attempts,
along with political assassinations, and substantial strikes throughout the civilian population.
President Colonel Arana’s term ended in 1974 and General Kjell Laugerud became
president. General Laugerud, also a PID candidate, was elected in a fraudulent election. Prior to
becoming president General Laugerud served as a cabinet minister and chief of staff under
President Arana. While an acting member of the presidential cabinet General Laugerud served on
a four person committee, responsible for controlling the activities of the paramilitary death
squads. In the 1974 elections General Laugerud ran against General Efraín Ríos Montt. General
Laugerud previously replaced General Montt in the Arana administration after General Montt
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