Guatemala Sentences Three Ex-Paramilitaries to 40 Years for Civil War Rapes

A top Guatemalan court sentenced three former paramilitaries to 40 years in prison each for raping six Indigenous Maya Achi women during the country's brutal civil war between 1981 and 1983. The men, members of the Civil Self-Defense Patrols aligned with the army, were convicted of crimes against humanity following a trial supported by extensive evidence, including survivor testimonies recounting harrowing abuses. This verdict is part of ongoing legal efforts to address sexual violence committed by pro-government forces during the conflict, building on previous landmark cases such as the 2016 Sepur Zarco trial where military officers received long sentences. Judges praised the bravery of the survivors, acknowledging the stigma and difficulty in coming forward to testify. The case reflects a broader movement toward justice and recognition for victims of wartime atrocities in Guatemala, where around 200,000 people were killed or disappeared during the 36-year civil war that ended in 1996. Despite these advances, no soldiers have yet been tried for such crimes.