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October 21, 2011

Guatemala Apologizes to Arbenz Family for U.S.-Backed Coup 
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Guatemala has formally apologized to the family of former president
Jacobo Arbenz, 57 years after the U.S.-backed coup that ousted him from
office. At a ceremony on Thursday, Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom
asked Arbenz's family for forgiveness. Speaking on behalf of the Arbenz
family, Arbenz's son, Juan Jacobo, called on the United States to follow
suit.

Juan Jacobo Arbenz: "My family suffered a lot in exile. We suffered the
consequences of an injustice that took place in 1954 when an agency from
a very powerful country, the United States, acted on the interests of a
powerful North American company called the United Fruit Company who were
condemned in court for being a monopoly. Here started the injustice and
we call on the United States to recognize their errors."



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