Relations improved with the Reagan administration, but during the Guatemalan Civil War, the U.S. backed anti-communist forces, contributing to human rights abuses and political instability.
The United States played a significant role in the Guatemalan Civil War, driven by its geopolitical interests during the Cold War era. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the U.S. provided substantial financial aid to Guatemala, aiming to influence the political landscape in its favor. However, the extent of U.S. involvement escalated as they began training Guatemalan security forces, a move that had far-reaching consequences.
Tragically, the trained Guatemalan security forces, often equipped and guided by American military advisors, became notorious for their brutal suppression of political dissent and opposition. The U.S. support of these forces indirectly contributed to widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial executions targeted at civilians perceived as sympathetic to leftist ideologies.
As the Guatemalan Civil War unfolded in the late 20th century, the United States continued its support of the Guatemalan government, despite mounting evidence of human rights violations. The U.S. policy during this period reflected its anti-communist stance, leading to an alignment with authoritarian regimes in the region.
The Reagan administration, in particular, maintained and even increased military aid to Guatemala during the early 1980s, characterizing the conflict as part of the broader struggle against Soviet influence in the Americas.