GUATEMALAN HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN'S WIFE ATTACKED

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 000291

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2019
TAGS: KCRM KJUS KDEM SOCI PHUM PGOV GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN'S WIFE ATTACKED

REF: A. GUATEMALA 238

B. GUATEMALA 222

Classified By: Ambassador Stephen McFarland for reasons 1.4(b,d)


1. (SBU) On March 25, Human Rights Ombudsman Sergio Morales
reported to authorities that his wife, Gladys Monterroso, was
abducted by unknown assailants earlier that day from a
restaurant in zone 10 of Guatemala City while having lunch,
and released 15 hours later in a park in zone 18 after she
was beaten and raped. The kidnappers, who did not demand a
ransom, called Morales to inform him of her whereabouts.
Morales alerted the Vice President and the Embassy upon his
wife's release.


2. (C) Early the following morning, March 26, Vice President
Espada and the Ambassador visited the medical center where
Monterroso is in stable condition to express their concern
and support. Morales was grateful for the show of support
and told them that President Colom had called earlier and
that Minister of Government Gandara (a political opponent)
had provided police support throughout the night. He asked
that the Vice President and the Ambassador meet with his wife
and two daughters. He told them that his wife had been
beaten, burned with cigarettes, bound at the wrists, drugged,
and raped, and that he was very worried about his daughters
and his parents. When his wife was raped, the assailants
warned her that her husband better "stop f**king around," and
threatened to rape their two daughters next.


3. (C) Morales told the Ambassador that the Vice President
has arranged for his wife to receive medical attention in the
U.S., and that he would like to get his wife and two
daughters out of the country as soon as possible. The
Ambassador offered to facilitate expedited visas for the
family. Morales thanked him for the offer and told him they
already have visas. The Ambassador suggested that he contact
the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala
(CICIG). Morales agreed, and the Vice President said he
would contact CICIG. The Ambassador has contacted the
regional Legatt to request FBI assistance and guidance on the
investigation. The Legatt will be in Guatemala on March 30
to discuss this case and ways to help the GOG combat the
increasing violence.


4. (SBU) Comment: While the attack remains under
investigation, it appears to have been an attempt to
intimidate Morales who has been coordinating the Historic
National Police Archive recovery project and has been active
in efforts to highlight and investigate human rights
violations committed during the internal conflict. On March
24, just a day before this brazen attack in Guatemala's
popular upscale restaurant/hotel district, Morales held a
high-profile ceremony commemorating the public opening of the
Police Archives and the public release of his office's first
report ("The Right to Know") on the National Police's role in
the internal conflict. The event drew a crowd of
approximately 800 and garnered wide press coverage. Based on
evidence uncovered in the archives, two police officers (one
retired and one active-duty) were arrested on March 5 and 6
for the 1984 forced disappearance of labor leader Edgar
Fernando Garcia, late husband of congresswoman Nineth
Montenegro (Ref A). Morales is one of the authors of an
upcoming national security pact, and has been vocal in
insisting upon the release of military archives relating to
the internal conflict.
McFarland