Efraín Ríos Montt

Efraín Ríos Montt was a Guatemalan military leader and politician who served as President from 1982 to 1983 through a military coup. His tenure was marked by a brutal campaign against indigenous populations and suspected insurgents during Guatemala’s civil war. Ríos Montt’s policies led to widespread human rights abuses, including massacres and forced displacements. In 2013, he was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity, making him one of the few leaders to be held accountable for such atrocities committed during conflict. Despite his assassination attempts and controversies, his military and political actions significantly impacted Guatemala's history.