Despite their political affiliations, Guzmán's term (before Majluta's) was characterized by a bitter feud with Jorge Blanco, who from the senate led the party in opposition to the administration.

Unproven, but widely circulated rumors and conspiracy theories tied Guzmán's family advisers to corruption, especially following the president's alleged suicide in July 1982.

In April 1984, sharp price increases mandated as part of an economic stabilization program approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led to massive riots and scores of deaths.

Then, in November 1985, a party primary that was intended to highlight the PRD's continued commitment to internal democratic procedures to select its presidential nominee ended inconclusively due to a shoot-out at the Concorde Hotel, where the ballots were being counted.

However, following a long interrogation session and an order for his arrest on corruption charges relating to the illegal commissions on the purchase of equipment for the armed forces, Jorge Blanco fled to the Venezuelan embassy on April 30, 1987 [citation needed], requesting political asylum.

Jorge was prosecuted (in absentia) by Marino Vinicio Castillo, and eventually sentenced to a multi-million fine and 23 years in jail after several months of a trial that was televised.

[4] On November 25, 2010 the Ex-President was taken to the emergency room at the Center for Advanced Medicine Dr. Abel González, after falling from his bed and hitting his head causing a heavy internal hemorrhage.