The World - News from May 12, 1988

Rebellious Guatemalan army troops apparently attempted a dawn coup against the civilian government, but loyal soldiers persuaded them to abandon the move, a Defense Ministry announcement and media reports said. In a news conference, the defense minister, Gen. Hector Gramajo Morales, said only that “there were some signs of indiscipline” at two army bases, “but they were immediately neutralized and the officers involved immediately changed their attitude.” He said two officers were arrested. Troops reportedly filled the capital city’s streets and its approaches in the early morning but were withdrawn by midday.