Terror in Countryside: Campesino Responses to Political Violence in Guatemala, 1954-1985 (Ohio RIS Latin America Series)
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Terror in the Countryside This series of publications on Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Global Studies is designed to present significant research, translation, and opinion to area specialists and to a wide community of persons interested in world affairs. The editor seeks manuscripts of quality on any subject and can generally make a decision regard- ing publication within three months of receipt of the original work. Production meth- ods generally permit a work to appear within one year of acceptance. The editor works closely with authors to produce a high quality book. The series appears in a paperback format and is distributed worldwide. For more information, contact the executive edi- tor at Ohio University Press, Scott Quadrangle, University Terrace, Athens, Ohio . Executive editor: Gillian Berchowitz AREA CONSULTANTS Africa: Diane Ciekawy Latin America: Thomas Walker Southeast Asia: William H. Frederick The Ohio University Research in International Studies series is published for the Center for International Studies by the Ohio University Press. The views expressed in individual volumes are those of the authors and should not be considered to represent the policies or beliefs of the Center for International Studies, the Ohio University Press, or Ohio University. Terror in the Countryside Campesino Responses to Political Violence in Guatemala, ‒ Rachel A. May Ohio University Center for International Studies Research in International Studies Latin America Series No. 35 Athens © by the Center for International Studies Ohio University Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved The books in the Ohio University Research in International Studies Series are printed on acid-free paper ƒ ™ Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data May, Rachel A. Terror in the countryside : campesino responses to political violence in Guatemala, – / Rachel A. May. p. cm. — (Research in international studies. Latin America series ; no. ) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN --- (pbk. : alk. paper) . Political violence—Guatemala. Peasantry—Guatemala—Societies, etc. I. Title. II. Series. HN.Z V .'—dc For Nicolás Contents List of Tables ix Acknowledgments xi Acronyms xiii Chronology xvii Chapter One The Effects of Violence on Popular Movements Chapter Two Political Violence: What Is It? Chapter Three Popular Organizations: What Are They? Chapter Four Cycles of Violence in Guatemala Chapter Five Guatemalan Campesino Organizations, – Chapter Six Guatemalan Campesino Organizations during the Second Cycle, – vii Chapter Seven The Effects of Violence on Popular Organizations Abbreviations in Notes and Bibliography Notes Bibliography Index viii Tables . Typology of Rebellion . Typology of Outwardly Directed Authoritative Violence . The Dialectic of Revolution . The Cycle of Violence . Cycles of Violence in Guatemala: A Historical Survey . National Structure of Guerrilla Fronts and Organizations . The Effects of Violence on Popular Organizations ix Acknowledgments I have an enormous debt of gratitude to countless people, both in Guatemala and the United States. Returning to Guatemala in for the first time in several years, I was struck once again by the generosity of Guatemalans. Guatemala must be the most wonderful place in the world for scholars. And it is a complicated, compelling, and magical place to love—“the beauty that hurts,” as George Lovell writes. María Antonieta Barrios de Mencos (“Doña Toni”) and her children have been unbelievably wonderful. I am humbled by their kindness and gen- erosity always, and grateful for that fateful day when I walked into Doña Toni’s archive at ASIES. Oscar Pelaez has likewise been a great friend and help to me. My understanding of this subject was shaped by our many conversations outside the library and in Pocket Park at Tulane.I am also very thankful for his logistical help and the assistance of CEUR during my trip to Guatemala. Miguel Angel Albizures struck me as one of the most generous men I have ever met. I wish there were something I could do to repay him. He represents everything that is courageous and creative and hopeful about the popular struggle in Guatemala. Otto Rivera, Raul Molina, Arnoldo Noriega, and countless others were remarkably generous with their valuable time and resources. I am truly indebted to so many Guatemalans who helped me in big and small ways. I can never hope to do justice to their stories. Roland Ebel first piqued my interest in Guatemala. He is a gifted teacher, and a warm and open-minded intellect. Andy Morrison, my friend and mentor, has always been supportive and helpful. Rod Camp generously helped me out despite his own unbelievably busy life. My friends, especially Darien Davis, Ken Johnson, Karen Racine, and Alvis Dunn made all the difference in the world. xi Acknowledgments I am most grateful to my friends and colleagues at the University of Washington, Tacoma, especially Beth Kalikoff, Michael Forman, and Kathie Friedman. Many people have read and commented on this manuscript in whole or in part over the last few years. Bruce Kochis thoughtfully and carefully read the entire manuscript in the spring of . I would never have been able to find the resources to see it through without his help at that crucial juncture. Michael Forman gen- erously read a big section of the manuscript quickly and made very constructive suggestions during the fall of . His help was and always is invaluable. Hank Frundt, who started out as my anonymous reviewer, invested an enormous amount of time and energy in this manuscript. He went above and beyond in every way. I am deeply indebted to him. I am very grateful to Tom Walker, Gillian Berchowitz, and Nancy Basmajian of Ohio University Press for their patience and under- standing. I would like to thank my family,especially my father, Ron May.And, of course, I am most grateful to Marco, Nicolás, and Gwendolyn Lizarazo for reasons I could never adequately express. xii Acronyms AC Asociación Civil (Mexico) ASC Asamblea de la Sociedad Civil AEU Asociación Estudiantil Universitaria (San Carlos) AFL American Federation of Labor (U.S.) AGA Asociación General de Agricultores AIFLD American Institute for Free Labor Development (U.S.) BANDESA Banco Nacional de Desarollo Agrícola CCDA Comité Campesino del Altiplano CEB Comunidad Eclesiastica de Base CEH Comisión para Esclarecimiento Histórico CELAM Conferencia Episcopal Latinoamericana CERJ Consejo de Comunidades Etnicas “Runujel Junam” CEUR Centro de Estudios Urbanos y Regionales CGTG Confederación General de Trabajadores de Guatemala CIDASA Compañía Industrial del Atlántico, Sociedad Anónima CIO Congress of Industrial Organizations (U.S.) CLAT Confederación Latinoamericano de Trabajadores CNC Confederación Nacional Campesina CNCG Confederación Nacional Campesina de Guatemala CNCS Consejo Nacional de Consultación Sindical CNR Comité Nacional para la Reconstrucción CNRS Comité Nacional de Reorganización Sindical CNT Confederación Nacional de Trabajadores CNUS Comité Nacional de Unidad Sindical xiii Acronyms COMG Consejo de Organizaciones Mayas de Guatemala CONAVIGUA Comité Nacional de Viudas de Guatemala CONDEG Comité Nacional de los Desplazados de Guatemala CONIC Coordinadora Nacional Indígena y Campesina CONSIGUA Confederación Sindical de Guatemala CONTRAGUA Confederación de Trabajadores de Guatemala CONUS Coordinadora Nacional de Unidad Sindical COPMAGUA Coordinación de Organizaciones del Pueblo Maya de Guatemala CSG Consejo Sindical de Guatemala CTC Confederación de Trabajadores Cubanos CTF Central de Trabajadores Federados CUCO Comité de Unidad Campesina y Obrero CUSG Confederación de Unidad Sindical de Guatemala DAT Departamento Administrativo de Trabajo DC Democracia Cristiana DGAA Departamento General de Asuntos Agrarios EGP Ejercito Guerrillero de los Pobres EPL Ejercito Popular de Liberación (Colombia) EXMIBAL Exploraciones y Explotaciones Mineras de Izábal EZLN Ejercito Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (Mexico) FAMDEGUA Familiares de Detenidos-Desaparecidos de Guatemala FAR Fuerzas Armadas Rebeldes FARC Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Colombia) FAS Federación Autónoma Sindical FASGUA Federación Autónoma Sindical de Guatemala (for- merly FAS) FCG Federación Campesina de Guatemala FCL Federación Campesina Latinoamericana FECETRAG Federación Central de Trabajadores de Guatemala FECOAR Federación de Cooperativas Agrícolas Regionales xiv Acronyms FEGUA Ferrocarriles de Guatemala FENACOAC Federación Nacional de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Credito de Guatemala FENCAIG Federación Nacional de Comunidades Agricolas e Indígenas FENOCAM Federación Nacional de Organizaciones Campesinas FENOT Federación Nacional de Obreros de Transporte FESC Frente Estudiantil Social Cristiana FESEB Federación Sindical de Empleados de Bancos FGEI Frente Guerrillero Edgar Ibarra FNO Frente Nacional de Oposición FP-31 Frente Popular, de Enero FSG Federación Sindical de Guatemala FSM Federación Sindical Mundial FTG Federación de Trabajadores de Guatemala FUR Frente Unida de la Resistencia GAM Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo IDESAC Instituto para el Desarollo Economico y Social de America Central IGEFOS Instituto Guatemalteco de Educación y Formación Social IGSS Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social INACOP Instituto Nacional para Cooperativas INTA Instituto Nacional de Transformación Agraria JOC Juventud Obrera Cristiana MCI Movimiento de Campesinos Independientes MDN Movimiento de Democracia Nacional MINUGUA Misión de Verificación de las Naciones Unidas