GOG RESPONSE TO CHAVEZ ASSASSINATION PLOT CLAIMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 000006 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2028 TAGS: PGOV PREL GT SUBJECT: GOG RESPONSE TO CHAVEZ ASSASSINATION PLOT CLAIMS Classified By: Ambassador James M. Derham for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (U) During a December 26 press conference, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez claimed that Venezuelan Intelligence had uncovered a U.S.-backed plot to assassinate him in Guatemala during the January 14 inauguration of president Alvaro Colom. Chavez offered few specifics on the plot, but his comments received wide press coverage in Guatemala and cast doubts on his attendance at the inauguration. ¶2. (U) On December 27, Minister of Government Adela Camacho de Torrebiarte responded publicly that the GOG had no information regarding the alleged plot, adding that the GOG would provide adequate security for all of the dignitaries expected to participate in the event. On December 28, Foreign Minister Gert Rosenthal publicly requested an explanation for Chavez's "unfortunate" statements and asked the GOV to forward any information pertaining to the alleged plot to Guatemalan authorities. On January 2, Rosenthal stated that Chavez would attended the inauguration as planned. Vice President Eduardo Stein also expressed his disappointment in Chavez' comments and affirmed that the GOG would ensure the safety of Chavez and all the other invited guests. ¶3. (C) On December 29, Jose Salurfano, a Nicaraguan national residing in Guatemala, contacted the Embassy's Duty Officer regarding the alleged plot to assassinate Chavez. According to Salurfano, in September, while he was incarcerated in Cuba for smuggling Cubans to Guatemala, Cuban and Venezuelan intelligence agents offered to free him if he would publicly declare that the USG had contracted him to assassinate Hugo Chavez. He claims that he agreed in order to secure his release but upon returning to Guatemala decided against making the statements. According to Salurfano he was contacted by the Cuban Embassy in Guatemala on three occasions before he moved and changed his phone number. He expressed fear for his safety and, while making no specific requests, seems to be seeking Embassy assistance. ¶4. (C) Comment: Salurfano, an out of work car salesman with no reported military or police experience, makes an unconvincing candidate for an international assassin and appears to be trying to use a high profile news story to obtain USG assistance. Embassy assessment is that he is not a credible source. Derham