La Democracia, Escuintla, Guatemala — Central America

Carlos Castillo Armas

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton

1. Carlos Castillo Armas Marker and bust

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

El pueblo de La Democracia
en homenaje al Coronel
Carlos Castillo Armas

English translation:
The people of La Democracia
in tribute to Coronel
Carlos Castillo Armas

Erected by El pueblo de La Democracia.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US.

Location. 14° 13.774′ N, 90° 56.837′ W. Marker is in La Democracia, Escuintla. The marker is prominent in the central park of La Democracia, Escuintla, some 4 km south of Siquinalá on Highway 2. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Democracia, Escuintla 05003, Guatemala. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 14 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Assassination of Walter Voordeckers (approx. 14.1 kilometers away).

Regarding Carlos Castillo Armas. Carlos Castillo Armas (November 4, 1914 – July 26, 1957) was a Guatemalan military officer and politician. After taking power in a coup d'état against

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the democratically elected government of Jacobo Arbenz, he served as the President of Guatemala from 1954 to 1957. His coup had been supported by the CIA and the US Embassy. A member of the right-wing National Liberation Movement (MLN) party, his authoritarian government was closely allied to the United States. He was assassinated in the Guatemalan Presidential Residence by one of his former guards. The coup he led and the disruption of democracy would eventually set off the Guatemalan Conflict that would last until a peace agreement was signed in 1996.

This bust and marker of Castillo Armas is probably one of only a handful in Guatemala and was probably placed here due to his birthplace being in nearby Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa.

A kiosk near the Carlos Castillo Armas Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton

2. A kiosk near the Carlos Castillo Armas Marker

A nearby Olmec-influenced sculpture of a giant head image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton

3. A nearby Olmec-influenced sculpture of a giant head

The central park of La Democracia is well known for its display of large stone heads that were found in the local area. The sculptures were probably related to the Olmec culture.

The Glorious Victory image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Diego Rivera, 1954

4. The Glorious Victory

Castillo Armas is in the center of Rivera's painting "La Victoria Gloriosa", which makes a strong commentary on the US-backed coup that overthrew Guatemala's government. Armas is shaking the hand of the US Secretary of State Dulles with US Ambassador Peurifoy behind them.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 350 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 19, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.