Transition between Laugerud and Lucas Garcia regimes Due to his seniority within both the military and economic elites of Guatemala, as well as his fluency in Q'eqchi, one of the country's indigenous languages, Lucas García was seen as the ideal official candidate for the 1978 elections. To further bolster his image, he was paired with the left-leaning doctor Francisco Villagrán Kramer as his running mate. Villagrán Kramer, a man of recognized democratic principles who had participated in the 1944 Revolution, was connected to the interests of transnational corporations and elites, as he served as a key adviser to Guatemala's agricultural, industrial, and financial chambers. Despite the democratic appearance, Lucas García's electoral victory did not come easily, and the establishment had to impose him, which further discredited the electoral system – already tainted by fraud during the 1974 elections when General Laugerud was imposed.
Transition between Laugerud and Lucas Garcia regimes Due to his seniority within both the military and economic elites of Guatemala as well as his fluency in Q'eqchi one of the country's indigenous languages Lucas García was seen as the ideal official candidate for the 1978 elections To further bolster his image he was paired with the left-leaning doctor Francisco Villagrán Kramer as his running mate Villagrán Kramer a man of recognized democratic principles who had participated in the 1944 Revolution was connected to the interests of transnational corporations and elites as he served as a key adviser to Guatemala's agricultural industrial and financial chambers Despite the democratic appearance Lucas García's electoral victory did not come easily and the establishment had to impose him which further discredited the electoral system – already tainted by fraud during the 1974 elections when General Laugerud was imposed