HONDURAN LABOR LEADER IS MURDERED ON MAJOR HIGHWAY; NO

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001950

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/PPC, DRL/IL, AND DRL/PHD
DOL FOR ILAB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAN LABOR LEADER IS MURDERED ON MAJOR HIGHWAY; NO
EVIDENCE YET THAT MURDER IS CONNECTED TO HIS POSITION

REF: Tegucigalpa


1. Francisco Cruz Galeano, a 44 year-old General Confederation of
Workers (CGT) labor leader and coordinator for the regions of
Comayagua, Intibuca and La Paz, was shot to death on September 11
in Ojo de Agua, on the road from Comayagua to Siguatepeque.
Darwing Roberto Maradiaga, who was traveling with Cruz, was
injured in the shoulder and leg. Cruz was driving a four-wheel
drive vehicle when the murderers intercepted him. An
undetermined number of assailants opened fire on the vehicle from
the bushes on the highway. Cruz Galeano was reportedly hit by 25
bullets. As of September 16 police had no lead on the
perpetrators. A special team from the General Direction of
Criminal Investigation (DGIC) was assigned to work on the case.
Leaders from the CGT have asked the Ministry of Public Security
for priority answers in this case.


2. Daniel Duron, Secretary General of the CGT, stated publicly
that the attempt on Cruz Galeano's life was carefully planned and
it was not a random assault. Investigators believe that
individuals who perpetrated the murder knew of Cruz Galeano's
comings and goings and knew the escape routes out of the area.
Among possible hypotheses, police are considering revenge due to
land tenure problems, an extramarital affair, possible debts, or
his actions as leader of the CGT.


3. Political Chief spoke September 21 to Duron, an excellent
Embassy contact, to express condolences for the death to the CGT
and Cruz Galeano's family (who Duron was visiting at the time of
the call). Duron said the CGT does not want to speculate on why
Cruz Galeano was murdered, but he noted that he was an active
labor leader and his murder might be related to his labor work.
He promised to keep the Embassy informed about any information
the CGT obtained about the murder. PolChief told Duron the
Embassy was expressing USG interest in the investigation to the
Ministry of Public Security, which oversees the police.

Williard