Efrain Rios Montt, Guatemala’s former military dictator, was rejected by the country’s second highest court in his bid for presidency. His attempt to regain office is a violation of the 1985 Constitution, which bars those with previous involvement in military coups from presidential office. Although his bid was previously denied twice (in 1990 and 1995) by the Court of Constitutionality, Rios Montt intends to appeal this year’s decision again at the nation’s highest court. Rios Montt currently holds an elected title as head of the legislature, a position from which he helped his friend Alfonso Portillo win the presidency in 1999.
