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Kjell Eugenio Laugerud GarciaGuatemalan statesman, general, president from 1974 to 1978.
Date of Birth: 24.01.1930
Country:  Guatemala |
Content:
- Kjell Eugenio Laugerud Garcia
- Diplomatic and Military Career
- Presidency
- Key Events and Foreign Relations
- Panzós Incident
- Later Years
Kjell Eugenio Laugerud Garcia
Early Life and Military TrainingKjell Eugenio Laugerud Garcia, born to a Norwegian father and a Guatemalan mother, pursued his military training in the United States. He attended courses at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Diplomatic and Military Career
Following his military education, Laugerud served as a military attaché in the U.S. from 1965. From 1968 to 1970, he represented Guatemala on the Inter-American Defense Board. Under President Carlos Arana, Laugerud held the positions of Chief of Staff of the Army and Minister of Defense.
Presidency
Election and ChallengesLaugerud was elected President of Guatemala in March 1974. The election was marred by violence and accusations of fraud. His candidacy was endorsed by both the military-backed Institutional Democratic Party and the ultra-right National Liberation Movement.
Key Events and Foreign Relations
During his presidency, Guatemala experienced a catastrophic earthquake on February 4, 1976, and a failed plan to annex Belize, resulting in severed diplomatic ties with Panama. Following a critical report on Guatemala's human rights situation released by the Carter administration, Laugerud declared that the country would no longer accept American military aid. However, Guatemala did receive funds already allocated for the year. It also sought military assistance and arms from countries such as Israel, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Taiwan, and Yugoslavia.
Panzós Incident
Near the end of his term, Laugerud faced fallout from a confrontation between Kekchi Indians and the military in Panzós, where 53 civilians were killed and 47 injured.
Later Years
In 1983, Laugerud and three other former presidents were forced to resign from the military.
