Entre la militarización y la democracia : la historia en el presente de Guatemala

Abstract

With the overthrowing of arbenz (1954), the militarization process grew stronger as analternative to neutralize various sectors that claimed their own rights, as well as an echo to the heterogeneous and disorganized counterrevolutionary movement. This process contributed toenlarge a system based on political and economic exclusion (organized around commodity exports), which was also affected by daily violence perpetrated by the state. The highest of the armedforces, as a part of the dominant class, acquired a main role in the transition from military regimes to democratic governments. The weakness of the civil power towards the military contributed to the erosion of democracy and the achievements of peace agreements. The new president, Otto Perez Molina (ex military involved in the crimes perpetrated during the 80’s) invites us tothink about the continuities and changes in the relationship between the armed forces and civilpower; the economic structure and the limits of democracy.