1983 Guatemalan coup d'état
1983 Guatemalan coup d'état | |||||||
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Part of Guatemalan Civil War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Guatemalan Armed Forces |
Government of Guatemala | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Óscar Humberto Mejía Víctores | Efraín Ríos Montt | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
1 dead |
The 1983 Guatemalan coup d'état was a
Coup attempt
Due to his alienation of the ruling elite – wealthy landowners, army officers, and conservative politicians – through his erratic behavior and religious zeal to a
Thus, amidst widespread discontent over his electoral programs, the officer corps led by Defense Minister General Óscar Humberto Mejía Víctores staged a palace coup against General Ríos Montt on August 8, 1983. The resulting clashes between government and rebel forces left at least one dead along with several wounded.[2] Suspicions of foreign involvement were raised when it was revealed Mejía Víctores met with the Southern Command of the US military the day before the coup, leading to accusations the United States sponsored the military overthrow. In response, the State Department denied any and all involvement.[3]
Post-coup
Following the successful coup, General Ríos Montt was forced into retirement and General Mejía Víctores was sworn in as the new chief of state.[2] The inauguration ceremony was attended by key military officials and former cabinet members of the deposed administration.[2] Mejía Víctores, who had not assumed the title of President and continued on as Minister of Defense and Chief of State, pledged to call for elections, suspend the military tribunals, lift the state of alarm which had been in effect since June 29, 1983, and respect the judiciary and constitution.[4] His promises however were seen as merely superficial gestures to placate international observers.[1]
The coup was viewed by some as largely insignificant in terms of substantial change, representing merely another reshuffling between the military who had controlled Guatemala for decades. This was supported by the fact Mejía Víctores was part of the same military elite resistant to change, as evidenced by his hostility towards US officials regarding human rights violations.[1]
Nevertheless, Mejía Víctores kept his promises and lifted the state of alarm, abolished the
Eventually, the government made democratic reforms to attract foreign aid, leading to elections being held in 1984 for the Constitutional Assembly, which was tasked with drafting a new constitution. The new drafted constitution was adopted the following year on May 31, 1985. General elections were held on November 3 which resulted in Vinicio Cerezo being victorious. On January 14, 1986, Cerezo was inaugurated as president.[5]
References
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ a b "Óscar Mejía Victores, Guatemalan military ruler of mid-1980s, dies at 85". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b c "Guatemala 1983 – Chapter IX". www.cidh.org. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ "4. Guatemala (1903–present)". uca.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-09.