Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TEGUCIGALPA1361
2006-08-01 20:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Cable title:  

AUGUST 1 UPDATE ON THE KIDNAPPING OF AMERICAN

Tags:  ASEC KCRM PGOV KSAC CASC HO 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTG #1361 2132022
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 012022Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2854
INFO RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNFB/FBI WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 0976
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001361 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, AND DSCC
WHA/CAN AND CA/OCAS/ACS/WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PGOV KSAC CASC HO
SUBJECT: AUGUST 1 UPDATE ON THE KIDNAPPING OF AMERICAN
CITIZEN RAMON J. ACIDE IN SAN PEDRO SULA.

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001361

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, AND DSCC
WHA/CAN AND CA/OCAS/ACS/WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PGOV KSAC CASC HO
SUBJECT: AUGUST 1 UPDATE ON THE KIDNAPPING OF AMERICAN
CITIZEN RAMON J. ACIDE IN SAN PEDRO SULA.


1. (SBU) Summary: On Saturday, July 29, 2006 RSO received
several calls from the father of Ramon Acide, Joaquin Acide.
He explained that he was frustrated with the pace of the
investigation and felt local police officials were not doing
enough to assist with the safe return of his son. Ramon was
kidnapped on July 17 and several hours later a ransom demand
of 5 million lempira (USD 265,000) was made to the family,
recently the ransom was reduced to 3.8 lempira (USD 201,000).
The family has had only a few calls over the last two weeks
from the kidnappers via cell phone and landline. End Summary.


2. (SBU) On Saturday, July 29 at approximately 1700 hours
Joaquin Acide had contacted the RSO in reference to his son's
abduction. He questioned RSO why the local police were moving
so slow and that he saw no progress with the investigation.
It was evident that Mr. Acide was frustrated and under stress
from the two-week ordeal. RSO reviewed what local police
officials were doing along with RSO and LEGATT San Salvador.
RSO explained since no new contact was initialed by the
kidnappers since Thursday, July 27, local officials have no
new leads to pursue. RSO explained to Mr. Acide he would make
a few calls to follow up with local officials and get back to
him. Consul General spoke to GOH officials in San Pedro Sula,
who said, they believe they had identified at least some of
the kidnappers, though they had not located them.


3. (SBU) RSO contacted LEGATT San Salvador who advised the
FBI had offered the family help in the form of the Victim
Assistance Program (VAP) which had contacted the mother and
brother of the victim. The VAP coordinator met with the
mother and brother in Miami and advised them of the different
aspects of the program which they were eligible for. LEGATT
San Salvador and RSO once again discussed what if any
technical assistance could be provided to local police
officials. LEGATT felt there was insufficient information
(cell phone or landline) regarding phone contact with the
kidnappers that FBI technical assistance could assist with at
this time. Along those lines LEGATT provide numerous
technical questions to RSO to pass to local police regarding
phone calls, frequencies and so on. Once this information is
obtained RSO will pass to LEGATT and a determination will be
made to see if technical assistance will provide additional
leads in the investigation.


4. (SBU) Consul General spoke to FBI victim's assistance
coordinator in Miami, most recently on July 31, and that
office has been in contact with victim's mother to offer
counsuling. RSO remains in contact with LEGATT San Salvador,
local police, and the family. RSO is trying to ensure that
all resources from the embassy, local law enforcement and
LEGATT are brought to bear on this investigation for a safe
return of Ramon Acide.


5. (SBU) Embassy Tegucigalpa points of contact are RSO Bruce
Lizzi and ACS Chief Naomi Walcott..
FORD