Efraín Ríos Montt, an American-backed monster who ruled Guatemala in 1982-3, is going on trial at last.

Torture, rape and mass extermination of Guatemalan Mayan Indians were this born-again Christian’s trademark. He was responsible for the deaths of 70,000 peasants and political opponents during his bloody 17-month reign.

600 Mayan villages were razed. Women and girls were fair game for his grunting military thugs. President Ronald Reagan and the US Christian Right applauded. “President Ríos Montt is a man of great personal integrity and commitment. … I know he wants to improve the quality of life for all Guatemalans and to promote social justice,” said Reagan. Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson became his personal friends.

(Never ask a Christian “what would Jesus do?” The answers might shock you.)

I wish Ríos Montt long life. It will be good to see this senescent reptile spend his declining years in jail. Too bad he won’t be joined by the American Bible-bashers who backed him.