Guatemala, in Central America, was a prominent example of a counterinsurgency state that culminated in a terrible genocide carried out against indigenous villages by the military dictatorship in the early 1980s. Although the signing of peace accords in December 1996 marked a dramatic transition from war to peace in the region, it turned out to be only a step toward a negative peace, in other words, toward the absence of armed violence. Guatemala seemed to have a long way to go toward a positive peace such as that required for a fairer society, one that is free from want, and poised for the achievement of an appropriate public order and development. It should be noted that civil society organizations in Guatemala represented by the Civil Society Assembly (ASC) played a crucial role in defining the priorities of the peace process and mediating between the Guatemalan government and the guerrilla groups. After the signing of the peace accords, the Guatemalan Truth Commission (CEH) tried to clarify the root causes of the prolonged civil war and how they had functioned, in order to present recommendations for building a firm and lasting peace. The recommendations included the reduction of poverty, reduction of socioeconomic inequality, eliminating discrimination against the indigenous population, and eradicating impunity. Furthermore, there are decisive structural changes needed for establishing a lasting peace in Guatemala including the establishment of an integral strategy for public safety based on the progressive demilitarization of the society, the strengthening of processes and institutions for participatory democracy, the equitable redistribution of land and resources, and the building of a multiethnic and intercultural society through adequate recognition of the rights of the indigenous. It is also worthy of note that actors and institutions at the local and grassroots levels are indispensable in implementing peace agreements and carrying out integral human development.
