Saturday October 20, I participated in a march/demonstration to celebrate the Revolution of October 20, 1944. "Dia de la Revolucion." This day has several meanings, but in particular to remember the tens years of social reform, democracy, and hope during the years of 1944-1954. In October 1944 the people organized to overthrow the facist dictator Jorge Obico. Ubico allowed massive foreign investment, particularly enabling the United Fruit Company (which has now dissolved into Chiquita, Dole and Del Monte). He also allowed foreign ownership of the largest electric company and railroads. The two new presidents were dedicated to agarian reform or the redistribution of land to the people because about 70% of the land was owned by 2.2% of the richest people. The revolution of 1944 brought into power Arevalo and Arbenz Guzman who sought to change this system of campesino servitude and unequal land distribution. During this time, Social Security system was started, 860,000 acres of land was redistributed to 100,00 families, for the first time (and last time since) education received the most federal funds, followed by health and housing. These policies, particularly around land distribution, were perceived as such a threat to US foreign investment that the CIA launched a complete overthrow of this government. Of course, in 1954, the reasons were disguised as --the threat of communism-- in Central America. In reality, the elected presidents were not communist, and their political tendencies were more center than left. The CIA intevention, OPERATION PBSUCCESS, installed Casillo Armas, who was followed by several horrible miliary dictators, including the infamous Rios Montt. (please excuse the lack of info here). In 1960 the country entered a civil war, which lasted until the signing of the Peace Accords in 1996. This 36 year period was marked by genocide and continued oppression. 200,000 (probably more, estimates vary) people were killed, 55,000 disappeared and 1.5 million displaced. Entire towns, entire families, and innumerous social leaders were destroyed. A strong guerrilla movement was built up during this time with support from the international community and sympathetic countries. It has only been 11 years since the signing of the Peace Accords, which brough an end to the legalized violence, but did not do much to change the social conditions of the country. More people die on a daily bases now then during the war, however people are dying because of poverty, hunger, and violent acts. Since this time, people here have been trying to accualize the promises made in the Accords. In 1999, a referendum of the people demanded that these so called Accords, be made into law. However, due to perceptions that this would allow legal reverse-discrimination, nothing was changed. People look back on the Revolution as a time of hope, prosperity and possibility. However, this event also brings up the roots of the civil war which the country is still recovering from. For more info go to the wikipedia link below.
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