Carlos Castillo Armas rose to power in Guatemala after a CIA-backed coup in 1954, which ousted the democratically elected President Jacobo Árbenz. His regime was characterized by a strong anti-communist stance and policies that favored the interests of U.S. corporations, particularly the United Fruit Company. As a dictator, Castillo Armas implemented significant land reforms and suppressed dissent, which led to widespread dissatisfaction with his rule. Opposition to his leadership grew, fueled by repression and the social injustices that lingered since his ascendance.

On July 26, 1957, Castillo Armas was assassinated in a chaotic scene inside the Presidential Palace. During a military meeting, an armed assailant infiltrated the room and shot him, resulting in immediate confusion and violence. The assassin's motives were tied to the broader sentiments of discontent that permeated Guatemala at the time, particularly among those who had suffered under Castillo Armas's authoritarian regime. His death sent shockwaves throughout the country, raising questions about the future of governance in Guatemala and the potential for ongoing instability.

Following his assassination, the political landscape of Guatemala was marked by uncertainty. The power vacuum created by Castillo Armas's death led to further civil unrest and a struggle for control among various factions. This assassination not only destabilized the Guatemalan government but also highlighted the dangers inherent in a heavily polarized political environment sparked by U.S. intervention. The implications of his assassination would resonate throughout the region, as it underscored the complicated relationship between local governance and foreign influence.