U.S. says ex-dictator is responsible for violence in Guatemala
Rios Montt, a former military dictator, is seeking election to the presidency in November. But it is unclear whether the courts will validate his candidacy. Rios Montt seized power in a military coup in 1982, and Guatemala's constitution bars former presidents who seized power illegally from becoming president.
Thursday's demonstration was carried out by supporters who demanded that Rios Montt, a 77-year old Evangelical Christian, be allowed to run.
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher disputed a statement by Rios Montt say he had no control over his supporters. The U.S. Embassy suspended public services because of the violence.
"In fact we know that his party is supplying tents, food, portable toilets to the demonstrators, and so we think the party should cease that kind of support to these violent demonstrations," Boucher said Friday.
"These are an affront to democracy, and not part of the democratic process," he said.
The Washington-based Guatemalan Human Rights Commission/USA demanded that Guatemalan authorities do "whatever is necessary to restore public order and to guarantee the security of the citizenry."
On Friday, an official from Riot Montt's party said the general urged his supporters to stop demonstrating.
Rios Montt served as president in 1982-83, a period that included some of the worst atrocities of Guatemala's 36-year civil war. Because of Rios Montt's record during his presidency, the State Department said in May that U.S. relations with Guatemala would suffer if he wins the November elections.
