 By mid @-@ October , several different plans to overthrow the junta had been set in motion by various factions of the pro @-@ democracy movement , including teachers , students , and progressive factions of the army . On 19 October , the government learned of one of these conspiracies . That same day , a small group of army officers launched a coup , led by Francisco Javier Arana and Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán . They were joined the next day by other factions of the army and the civilian population . Initially , the battle went against the revolutionaries , but after an appeal for support their ranks were swelled by unionists and students , and they eventually subdued the police and army factions loyal to Ponce Vaides . On October 20 , the next day , Ponce Vaides surrendered unconditionally . 
