The death and cruel life of Efraín Ríos Montt

NOWHERE in the Americas was the cold war fought more brutally than in Guatemala. After the CIA toppled a reformist democratic government in the name of anti-communism in 1954, a long line of military dictators followed, engendering left-wing guerrilla movements that they proceeded to crush. Efraín Ríos Montt, who died this month at 91, headed a military junta for 17 of the bloodiest months of this campaign, in 1982-83. His life tells the story of his country’s halting progress from horror to democracy and the rule of law.

In his way, General Ríos Montt was a reformer. In 1974 he ran for president for the tame opposition. Fraud denied him victory. Perhaps that made him contemptuous of such electoral fictions. “I am a true political leader…because I am here without your votes,” he proclaimed after the officers’ coup that installed him as president in 1982. He stood out from his fellow dictators, above all, for his bluntness.