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Review of Jonas, Of Centaurs and Doves: Guatemala’s Peace Process

According to Molina-Mejía, Jonas’ Of Centaurs and Doves: Guatemala’s Peace Process is a sound, accurate, and in-depth analysis of the Guatemalan peace process, which ended the 36-year-old internal armed conflict and began the reconstruction of the Guatemalan state and society as a multiethnic, multilingual, and multicultural nation. Jonas did not to limit the scope of this book to the stages that led to the signing of the Firm and Lasting Peace Accord on December 29, 1996, but expands her analysis to consider its immediate aftermath, that is, the period from January 1997 to mid-1999, when important attempts were made to implement some of the transformations mandated by the accord. Consequently, the book illustrates the extraordinary significance of the peace agreements as a historic opportunity for the Guatemalan people, and the difficulties of trying to transform conditions in Guatemala that have defied change for decades and, in some respects, for centuries.

Central America, Guatemala peace process, Guatemala — social movements, Guatemala — politics and government — 1985-, Guatemala — relations — U.S., Relations — Guatemala — U.S., negotiation — Guatemala — history, human rights — Guatemala — history

Citation: Social Justice Vol. 28, No. 1 (2001): 248-253