Arzú, Irigoyen Alvaro (1947– )

Guatemalan politician, president 1996–1999. He served briefly as minister of foreign affairs in 1991, before resigning to become secretary general of the National Advancement Party (PAN). As the country's president, he concluded a peace agreement with the left-wing Guatemalan National Unity (URNG) guerrilla movement, ending 36 years of civil war, and granted amnesty for all human rights violations during the conflict.

A successful businessman, Arzú was mayor of Guatemala City 1985–90. In 1990 he stood (unsuccessfully) as presidential candidate for the right-of-centre PAN.

Arzú won the presidency in January 1996 in the second round run-off elections, defeating his Republican Front opponent.