Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1996)
A 36-year armed conflict between the Guatemalan government and leftist insurgents killed an estimated 200,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more. Many fled to the United States, settling in cities across the country.
The war ended with peace accords in 1996, but the displacement had already reshaped Guatemalan communities worldwide.
The Guatemalan diaspora in the US grew substantially, creating communities that support Guatemalan businesses like El Son Chapin.
The name El Son Chapin reflects Guatemalan cultural identity. The appearance of a Guatemalan-named business in Detroit points to the city's share of this diaspora.
