| Country: | Guatemala |
| Details of Formation: | -- |
| Details of Termination: | There is no reported termination date. However, Eye for an Eye was in favour of and supported by the military governments of Guatemala, therefore the termination of the squad as a Pro-Government Armed Group is coded as the 14 January 1986, when President Cerezo was inaugurated as President of a new civilian government in the country. |
| Purpose: | -- |
| Organisation: | Eye for an Eye was organized as a death squad with largely military membership with some civilian cooperation (Wikipedia Guatemalan Civil War). A news source reports that for some time the group was almost beyond the control of the army, but was later institutionalized in an apparatus within the army high command. |
| Weapons and Training: | -- |
| Size: | -- |
| Reason for Membership: | According to a news source, members of the PGM came from middle class white families, attempting to stop political consciousness among Indian population. This might imply that they joined the PGM to ensure their position in society. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | Eye for an Eye was involved in killings and mutilations of civilians it suspected of supporting the rebels during the 1970s (Wikipedia Guatemalan Civil War). News sources report killings, disappearances, forced land seizures and torture. Their actions were ordered by powerful landlords or were supported by the police and military. Alongside the White Hand (PGM), it is estimated to be responsible for up to 40,000 deaths between 1954 and 1983. |
| Other Information: | Eye for an Eye (Spanish: Ojo por Ojo) was a right-wing terrorist group/death squad. Ethnic membership refers to members being from white families, and the state leader’s ethnicity. Ethnic targets (also linked to purpose of intimidation) were indicated as indigenous people. The indigenous population in Guatemala is mainly consisting of Mayas. There are also small minorities of Xinca and Garifunas. It is unclear whether the latter groups were also targeted by Eye for an Eye. |
| References: | Wikipedia. “Guatemalan Civil War”. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guatemalan_Civil_War&oldid=983456558 |