/short description: The article relates the rise and fall of the revolutionary groups in Central America. Gruszczak states that behind the growth of revolutionary movements in the region, such as those in Guatemala, Salvador, Nicaragua and other Central American countries, were great abuses of civil and human rights. The author notes that the groups, which have been using revolutionary ways, or in other words armed struggle, to achieve their political goals, in 1990's changed their methods of action. Following democratization processes the left-wing militant groups have transformed themselves into political parties, working within the framework of democratic elections.