Punkonomics (@DearBalak)

BREAKING NEWS (see context below): Court Overturns Genocide Conviction for Guatemalan Dictator (commondreams.org)

A new section of the radio show/podcast in which I (Beni) get to ramble for 5min on a topic unrelated to the show…

We did this for the 1st time in show #33 (2013-5-20) and here are my very rough notes:

1st time ex-dictator gets convicted for genocide & crimes against humanity in his own country

• Former president and general Efrain Rios Montt

  • convicted last week after rushed trial since his congress-term and immunity ran out 2012. Sentence: 80 years (87yr old)

  • de-facto pres. 1982-3 (multiple coups)

  • genocide against Maya-Ixil (1771 killed, 29k displaced, 250K dead overall)

• One of his lieutenant (involved in the actual killings) is current president:

  • Otto Perez Molina

  • Oligarchy (=rule by few) working to annul by higher court:

    • legal technicalities (used to delay but thwarted by judges)

    • public opinion campaigns & media
      (Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, & Financial Associations)

    • threat & terror

• Context:

  • Sandinistas revolution in Nicaragua ‘79

  • Guerrillas (including FMLN from El salvador) had mass popular support

  • Soviet support

  • Guerrillas and freedom fighters also committed crimes

• US heavy involvement and support:

  • along with most other dictatorships in Latin America

  • Ronald Reagan personally supported Montt

• What are we to make of this?

  • truth and reconciliation — does it work?

    • peace but no justice: South Africa

    • justice but no peace: Zimbabwe

  • Land reforms / redistribution OH MY!

Related articles:

Related articles

• Ronald Reagan: Ríos Montt is “totally dedicated to democracy” (coreyrobin.com)
• Guatemala’s former dictator Efrain Rios Montt battles genocide charges (guardian.co.uk)