36 Year Old Civil War Comes to End

On December 29, 1996, Guatemala’s 36-year civil war, one of the longest and deadliest in Latin American history, officially came to an end with the signing of the Peace Accords in Guatemala City. The war, which began in 1960, claimed the lives of over 200,000 people, with the majority being indigenous Mayans, and displaced countless others. Marked by political unrest, state-sponsored violence, and widespread human rights abuses, the conflict pitted the Guatemalan government and military against leftist guerrilla groups fighting for social reform and equality. The United Nations-brokered peace agreement, signed between the Guatemalan government and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG), symbolized the end of decades of brutal violence and repression. The accord included commitments to address systemic inequality, protect indigenous rights, reduce military power, and investigate human rights violations. The Catholic Church, civil society, and international mediators played pivotal roles in bringing both sides to the negotiating table. The signing of the Peace Accords marked a turning point, but the aftermath of the war left lasting scars. Efforts to achieve justice, such as uncovering atrocities committed during the war—including massacres, forced disappearances, and scorched-earth campaigns—remain an ongoing struggle. The UN’s Historical Clarification Commission concluded that 93% of atrocities were committed by state forces, and many victims still seek accountability and reparations. Despite its challenges, the end of the Guatemalan Civil War in 1996 was a significant milestone in the country’s history, marking the beginning of a new chapter aimed at reconciliation, justice, and rebuilding a more inclusive society. #Mooflife #MomentOfLife #GuatemalanCivilWar #UNPeaceProcess #Post-war #PathToPeace