1963 Guatemalan coup d'état

The Anti-Arevalist coup, aiming to prevent former President Juan José Arévalo from taking power again, (1945–1951) was mainly executed by two army garrisons in the nation's capital of Guatemala City - Guardia De Honor and Mariscal Zavala^[3] - and led by two military figures: Colonel Enrique Peralta Azuria, Minister of Defence during the Ydígoras administration, and Colonel Catalino Chavez, First Presidential Designate.^[3] The bloodless coup attempt started unfolding on March 26, with the declaration of a State of Siege which suspended constitutional protections.^[4] Three days later on March 29, the Defense Minister Peralta Azurdia announced the closure of the national airport and prohibition of any public meetings, adding that "military maneuvers" would be conducted in and out of Guatemala City from March 30 until March 31.^[4] As announced, the coup attempt was finally launched in the late hours of March 30, with gunfire being heard through the streets of the capital by 8 PM.^[5] On 6 AM of the following day, the army broadcast a radio announcement to the radio declaring the president had been overthrown and that Colonel Enrique Peralta Azurdia would assume leadership "for the good of the nation."^[5] Constitutional rights were promised to be restored once "the nation is ready" and "the extremists have been eradicated."^[5]

On March 30, 1964, the military junta lifted the State of Siege which had been in effect since the coup, also announcing Constituent Assembly elections for May 24.^[6] Two political parties were permitted to participate: the centre-left Revolutionary Party and the right-wing National Liberation Movement.^[7] In 1965, a new constitution was approved. On March 6, general elections were held, which were won by Julio César Méndez Montenegro. By July 1, the military peacefully relinquished power to the new civilian administration.^[7]