Otto René Castillo

GUATEMALA

(1934–1967) Otto René Castillo was born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. He supported the progressive social reforms of President Jacobo Arbenz during Guatemala’s 10 Years of Spring and was exiled after a CIA-sponsored coup that overthrew the democratic government in 1954. He went into exile in El Salvador where he attended the University of San Salvador and helped found the University Literary Circle. He returned to Guatemala in 1957, but went into exile again in Europe. In 1966, he returned to Guatemala to join the FAR (Revolutionary Armed Forces). He was captured by government forces the following year and was interrogated and tortured before being burned alive. His poetry continues to inspire Guatemalans to fight for social justice and equality, and is found in Tecum Oman, Let’s Go!, and Tomorrow Triumphant.

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