He came to power in a coup and led a military junta while Guatemala was in a bloody civil war between the army and leftist guerrillas . Efrain Rios Montt ruled Guatemala from 1982 to 1983 . He and another defendant are on trial , accused of genocide and crimes against humanity . Comment: A judge has thrown out three weeks of testimony in his trial , citing procedural grounds .
Efrain Rios Montt ruled Guatemala from 1982 to 1983 . He and another defendant are on trial , accused of genocide and crimes against humanity . Comment: A judge has thrown out three weeks of testimony in his trial , citing procedural grounds .