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1524
Spanish colony
Spanish adventurer Pedro de Alvarado defeats the indigenous Maya and turns Guatemala into a Spanish colony. -
Not fully independent
Guatemala becomes independent but joins the Mexican empire. -
Finally independent
Guatemala becomes fully independent. -
War
Guatemala declares war on axis powers. -
New ruler
Guatemala is now ruled by conservative dictator Rafael Carrera -
Assassination
Colonel Enrique Peralta becomes president after Castillo was assassinated. -
Earthquake
27,000 people were killed and more than a million people were made homeless by this earthquake. -
Killing
Around 11,000 people are killed by death squads and soldiers in response to growing anti-government guerrilla activity. -
Efrain Rios Montt
General Efrain Rios Montt gains power following military coup. -
New president
Alfonso Portillo sworn in as president after winning elections in 1999.
