Julio Godoy has a nice write-up on Jean-Marie Simon and the publication and presentation of her book Guatemala: Eternal Spring, Eternal Tyranny. The exhibit has had some difficulties staying open in Guatemala.
The very fact that the book is now available in Spanish to Guatemalan readers is already a significant step in the writing of country's modern history in Guatemala itself. It offers local society the irrefutable evidence of the crimes committed by the army.
This proof is necessary, for Guatemala has never openly discussed its recent history, least of all the involvement of the ruling oligarchy in the army's campaign of scorched earth in the countryside and of systematic killings of political opponents, students and unions' leaders in the cities.
The few attempts to debate modern history -- such as the report by the Catholic Church's office of human rights, published in 1998 -- were smothered to silence by more ruthless violence. The church report's leading author, Juan Gerardi, was assassinated only a few days after the document was made public.You can check out some of the photos on the book's website here or Jean-Marie's blog here. You might also be interested in an earlier blog post of mine.
Furthermore, army officials still justify these crimes arguing that the Guatemalan military during the civil war only fulfilled its constitutional role and was protecting the rule of law.
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