Augusto Monterroso (1921 - February 7, 2003) was a Guatemalan writer.

Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Monterroso was however a Guatemalan citizen. He was exiled from Guatemala in 1944 for opposing the dictator Jorge Ubico and protesting against United States-owned banana plantations operating in Central America.

Monterroso is credited with writing one of the world's shortest stories, El Dinosaurio (The Dinosaur). The story reads in its entirety:

"Cuando despertó, el dinosaurio todavía estaba allí."

("When ... awoke, the dinosaur was still there.")

In 1988, he received the highest honour the Mexican government can bestow on foreign dignitaries, the Aguila Azteca . He was also awarded the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award, in 2000.

He died of heart problems at the age of 81, in Mexico City.

Books

• El Dinosaurio (The Dinosaur)
• La oveja negra y demás fábulas (The Black Sheep and Other Fables)
• El eclipse (The Eclipse)