civilmilitary3

Although many factors have curtailed the influence of the military on the government and society, the military still retains significant influence in Guatemalan politics. However, the type of control exerted by the military is different in nature than in earlier years. Since the 1996 Peace Accords, the military as an institution has lost legitimacy and resources. As a result, the military channels its influence through specific individuals that have recently been appointed to important political posts, such as:

III RECENT NEWS

Soon after Alfonso Portillo assumed the presidency, he initiated an aggressive campaign to reorganize the military. Many political analysts believe, however, that this campaign was aimed at bringing into power Portillo?s supporters in a strategic move to assert his authority over Rios Montt, rather than a move to genuinely reform the military institution .

The following is a timeline of some of the changes initiated or approved by President Alfonso Portillo to date:

? January, 2000- 20 generals are dismissed when President Portillo named a lower ranking officer, Colonel Juan Estrada, as Defense Minister.
? March, 2000- Commanders are rotated at various military post
? May 6, 2000- The chief of the armed forces general staff (Estado Mayor de la Defensa) Colonel Cesar Agusto Ruiz Morales is replaced by Col. Eduardo Arevalo Lacs.
? May 10, 2000- Minister of Defense Colonel Juan Estrada dismissed at least four officials from the Military Intelligence Office, known as G-2.