I like the idea of Rigoberto Menchu running for president, having read her story (and seen a documentary about her). However, i wonder how she feels about Guatamalan children being adopted by Americans? Not that any of it is up to me...just wondering...very interesting articles.

I was unaware that this was an election year. Thanks for the information. I wonder how this new election will change the adoption situation?

That would be pretty wild if Menchu won, both because of her background and the fact that Guatemala has never seen an indigenous president. I was surprised to see Montt’s name again. Wasn’t he put on trial in June of 2006 for war crimes and his role in the genocide? Was he the general behind the “scorched earth campaign”, among other atrocities? It seems like a judge from Spain went to Guatemala for his trial. Does anyone know the outcome?

I Rios Montt was not the former dictator of Guatemala. In the time of his presidency, Guatemala was over come by terrorism and he was the only no who said no and with a firm hand took the terrorist head on.

I believe that there was a court decision saying that Rios Montt can not run. At least that's what a friend told me when I was visiting in November. Of course, the same thing happened last election and Montt's daughter (who is incidentally married to a US Congressman) orchestrated violent riots and ultimately got him on the ballot.

It was a great show though that Montt didn't get much support!

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

Daniel, I suggest you read more about Rios Montt before coming to that conclusion. He was indeed a dictator, and under his military regime, thousands were tortured and killed.

I find it disgusting that Daniel claims that “Rios Montt was not the former dictator of Guatemala” considering that the general became President of Guatemala only by leading a military coup. And as far as Guatemala being “overcome by terrorism”, any definition of a terrorist would include Rios Montt, whose regime, according to 2 truth commissions, committed wholesale massacres, rapes, torture, and other acts of genocide against his fellow Guatemalans for the “sin” of being Mayan. More than 80,000 died at the hands of the army during this man’s 18 months as dictator. I have many Guatemalan friends whose family members were either murdered or “disappeared.” How dare you talk about Rios Montt as if he was anything other than the personification of evil. Shame, shame on you.