Opening Arguments It Took Years, but Guatemala Held a Brutal Dictator Accountable. What Can We Learn?
May 20, 2025
Rachel López, a Temple Law Professor dedicated to uncovering human rights abuses in Guatemala, dives into her crucial role in preserving court records from the Guatemalan Civil War. She discusses the significance of transitional justice and lessons for future accountability efforts. López shares her unique journey into academia fueled by passion for human rights and reflects on the geopolitical influences complicating justice. Her work aims to spotlight historical atrocities, particularly during a brutal dictatorship, and emphasizes the necessity of accessible legal documentation for justice.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
U.S. Role in Guatemala's Conflict
- The U.S. played a major role in Guatemala's civil war by supporting a coup to protect corporate interests.
- This intervention unleashed decades of violence and genocide disproportionately targeting indigenous people.
Church's Role in Seeking Justice
- The Catholic Church in Guatemala played a crucial role in protecting indigenous people and pushing for truth.
- They formed a parallel truth commission that named names and helped build a case for justice.
Cold War's Impact on Guatemala
- Guatemala’s conflict ended partly because Cold War dynamics and U.S. interest waned.
- Local conflicts can be tightly linked to broader geopolitical struggles and their resolution.