GUATEMALA: FALSE PROGRESS
During his campaign for the presidency, Alonso Portillo of the FRG (Rios Montt’s infamous
party) declared that he would make his best effort to carry out the recommendations of the
CEH,23° a surprising departure from the usual party line. Later, when he won in 1999, he
appointed Otilia Lux de Cotf, one of the CEH’s three commission members, to his cabinet. 231
During his inauguration speech he stated publicly that he supported the CEH report and affirmed
his commitment to carry out its recommendations. 232 Although his early rhetoric and apparent
willingness to work with ‘the other sides’ were important, auspicious gestures, Portillo paid
minimal attention to implementing the CEH recommendations during his actual full term.
Although others felt encouraged that Otilia Lux de Coil could serve as a watchdog from her
cabinet position to monitor the implementation of CEH recommendations, 233 she was not able to
put pressure on the President and administration as hoped.