![Dictator and President of Guatemala Efraín Ríos Montt](https://www.onthisday.com/images/people/efrain-rios-montt.jpg?w=360)
Full Name: José Efraín Ríos Montt
Profession: Dictator and President of Guatemala
Biography: As dictator of Guatemala for 17 months during 1982 and 1982, Rios Montt was guilty of committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Guatemala's indigenous Mayan population.
His conviction for these crimes in 2013 marked the first time a former head of state has been prosecuted for genocide in a national, as opposed to an international, court.
His 80 year sentence was soon over turned. His 2015 retrial was ongoing at the time of his death in 2018.
Born: June 16, 1926
Birthplace: Huehuetenango, Guatemala
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Tiger
Star Sign: Gemini
Died: April 1, 2018 (aged 91)
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Historical Events
- 1982-03-23 Guatemala military coup under General Efraín Ríos Montt, President Romeo Lucas flees
- 1982-06-09 General Efraín Ríos Montt declares himself President of Guatemala
- 1983-08-08 Military coup in Guatemala, Dictator and former General Efraín Ríos Montt flees
Quotes by Efraín Ríos Montt
- "“If you are with us, we will feed you,” he told Guatemalan peasants. “If not, we will kill you.”" - Beans and Bullets
Biographies and Sources
- Background: Efrain Rios Montt & Mauricio Rodriguez Sanchez - International Justice Monitor
- Efraín Ríos Montt, Guatemalan Dictator Convicted of Genocide, Dies at 91 - NY Times
- Ex-Guatemalan dictator Rios Montt dies, leaving bitter legacy - Reuters