Word: maldonado
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...governments abandoned the population," says Presidential Candidate Maldonado, "and this formed the base for revolutionary action. Any other people would have had a popular uprising by now. The only reason why not is that the people are afraid of the Communists who are leading the insurrection. We must show the people that moderation must not be confused with weakness and that moderates are not cowards...
...Maldonado does this simply by campaigning openly and by indicting government corruption and repression. He speaks with the slow patience of a parish priest, seldom raising his voice. "To do so only frightens people," he says. "We are the only group who can bring peace to Guatemala, because we have no hate for anyone. We feel we are in good hands when we are with the people...
...Maldonado talks on quietly, a few in the crowd firmly nod their heads in agreement. Maldonado mentions another, even more direct threat. "These are the cars without license plates that go into towns at night and kidnap people," he says. This time, a few people even applaud...
...Maldonado speaks to a small band of listeners gathered at a corner park, men on motorcycles begin to ride up and down the street with their guns drawn. A policeman on a corner carefully writes down the license-plate numbers of each of the cars used by the visitors...
When the speech is over and the caravan heads out of town, Maldonado and Carpio are moved into the two bulletproof vans, and the volunteers who ride shotgun unsheath their weapons. For the next hour, the campaigners drive watchfully through the narrow roads and mountain passes at twilight until, it seems, the danger is gone. On the way back to the capital, Maldonado and his men are exhausted, caked with the day's dirt. "We go with our language of moderation, peace, everything, trusting justice rather than strength," says the candidate. "I know it's difficult...