GUATEMALAN UNION LEADER'S DEATH: MORE COMMON CRIME

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 003164

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PHUM PGOV ELAB KCRM SNAR EAID KPAO ECON
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN UNION LEADER'S DEATH: MORE COMMON CRIME



1. (U) Julio Rolando Raquec, Secretary of the Federation of
Workers in the Informal Economy (FSTIG),died after being
mugged several blocks from his Guatemala City residence by
unidentified individuals on November 30. Raquec sustained
fatal injuries during the robbery and died later the same
day. According to the police report, Raquec and his wife
indicated to the police that they had been attacked by
unknown men, who shot Raquec four times while taking his
money. The wife believed that the aggressors were gang
members who operated in the area. (Comment: Raquez lived in
Zone 6, which is one of the most dangerous parts of the city
and has been designated a "red zone" for violence by the GOG).


2. (U) Jose Pinzon, leader of the umbrella union CGTG,
reported to PolOff that Raquec had received several phone
threats in May and June 2004. However, Pinzon recognized
that Raquec's death appears to have been a common criminal
act. The FSTIG union is small and not widely visible or
personally known to PolOffs. The Public Ministry assigned
the case to the Special Unit for Homicides, though PolOff has
not been able to discuss the case further with the assigned
prosecutor.
HAMILTON