The impending presidential elections have deteriorated the human rights situation in Guatemala, making the threat of violence a reality in the volatile country. The proceedings of current presidential elections have seriously undermined the democratic process with the former military dictator Rios Montt running illegally in the election. Strong opposition from peasant (particularly indigenous) communities and human rights advocates to the current status of the election has led to a number of related threats and killings of both indigenous peoples and out-spoken ladinos.
