Guatemala genocide case shines light on US complicity in Maya Ixil massacres
TAG24Mar 22
Guatemala: Former Military Leader Stands Trial for Genocide
The Facts
Manuel Benedicto Lucas García, who served as head of Guatemala's army for seven months in the early 1980s, was set to stand trial Friday on charges of genocide.
This comes as a national court for high-risk crimes adjourned the first hearing against the former general last week to allow a public defender to get familiar with the case after two lawyers of Lucas García resigned.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Given that the evidence against Lucas García is overwhelming, he should be found guilty. However, because Guatemala's judicial system is well-known for its tendency to favor foreign interests rather than those of its citizens, a negative outcome would be no surprise. It's important to remember that the Reagan administration actively backed this genocidal regime.
Pro-establishment narrative
When courts in Guatemala target former leaders, be it Benedicto Lucas García or the late dictator Ríos Montt, on genocide charges, it's their political beliefs that are in the spotlight rather than their real crimes — otherwise, war criminal insurgents should also face charges. That's easier to understand when only America is unfairly blamed for third-party crimes.
Nerd narrative
There's a 40% chance that Guatemala will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.