The conviction of Guatemala's former de facto president, Gen. Efrain Rios Montt, is the most significant human rights event in the recent history of that country.
By many accounts, Rios Montt is responsible for the worst human rights abuses committed by the military in Latin America. His punishment will forever change the political panorama in Guatemala.
Rios Montt's trial and conviction to 80 years in prison for genocide and crimes against humanity was only possible now because, as a congressman, he had enjoyed immunity from prosecution for 12 years. He was the head of a military regime (1982-1983) that carried out the worst atrocities of Guatemala's 36-year civil war that ended with a peace treaty in 1996. It is estimated that at least 200,000 Guatemalans were killed during the conflict.