Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in Guatemala

Abstract

For 30 years Guatemala has faced the menace of communist insurgency. The taking of Cuba by Fidel Castro joined with the communist strategic doctrine for world domination, plus the political, economic and social problems and crises prevailing in Guatemala, set the stage for Guatemala to be chosen for communism's next target. Nevertheless, the insurgency didn't succeed. The insurgency developed different ways of action in its political and military operations from its beginning to the present time. At each period the communists realized the strategic adjustments necessary as each effort was thwarted and defeated by the Guatemalan state. At the same time Guatemala adjusted with great flexibility to the different circumstances that the insurgent movement presented and learned to seize the initiative. Over time the threat has diminished from the most menacing and aggressive ever seen to a simple discomfort.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 28, 1991
Accession Number
ADA236489

Entities

People

  • Mario M. Ponce

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • California
  • Central America
  • Counterinsurgency
  • El Salvador
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Governments
  • Insurgency
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • Latin America
  • Military Operations
  • National Politics
  • Political Systems
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Urban Areas
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Strategic Security Studies