Guatemala
Country in Central America, bounded N and NW by Mexico, E by Belize
and the Caribbean Sea, SE by Honduras and El Salvador, and SW by the
Pacific Ocean.
Government
The 1985 constitution, amended 1994, provides for a single-chamber
80-member congress elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term.
Sixty-eight of its members represent departmental congressional districts
and twelve are elected nationally. The president, also directly elected
for a similar term, appoints a cabinet, is assisted by a vice president,
and is not eligible for re-election.
History
Formerly part of the Maya empire, Guatemala became a Spanish colony
1524. Independent from Spain 1821, it then joined Mexico, becoming independent
1823. It was part of the United Provinces of Central America 1823-40.
Dictatorship The military rebellion 1838, led by José Rafael Carrera,
set a pattern of long-term dictatorship in Guatemala. Thereafter, despite
frequent ostentatious displays of constitutionalism, the country was
ruled by a succession of personal or military dictators. The Indian
population, in particular, was ruthlessly exploited, while human rights
were ignored or trampled upon. A revolutionary strike 1944 led to the
electoral triumph of Juan José Aré valo. Along with his successor, Já
cobo Arbenz, he attempted to curb the power of the army and install
political freedoms. Health services and education were expanded. Agrarian
reform was also proposed.
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