ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN GUATEMALA

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000471 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/ITA/WHA, WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PGOV ALOW GT SUBJECT: ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN GUATEMALA REF: A. 09 GUATEMALA 147 ¶B. 09 GUATEMALA 278 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The continuing escalation of violence in areas near US Embassy Guatemala and in close proximity official residences, including the two incidents listed below, pose a significant direct threat to Embassy personnel. The below incidents also raise the possibility of political violence in the near term. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On April 29, at approximately 1730 hours, bus driver Gerber GUZMAN was shot and killed by two unknown assailants riding a motorcycle while he drove along his bus route on Avenida La Reforma, Guatemala City. GUZMAN sustained multiple gunshots and was killed instantly as his bus continued out of control along Avenida La Reforma. The bus impacted a utility pole and came to a stop at the corner of Avenida La Reforma and 11 Calle - approximately two blocks from the Embassy. GUZMAN was pronounced dead on the scene and several bus passengers reported minor injuries as a result of the collision. Guatemalan National Police (PNC) investigators reported that GUZMAN had been targeted for failing to pay extortion. According to the local press, GUZMAN is the 39th bus driver murdered this year. Over the past year, large demonstrations and disruptions of local bus service has been a common response to these killings. While these demonstrations are usually non-violent and not directed at the US Mission, the increasing frequency and numbers of demonstrators could affect mission operations indirectly if the trend continues. In addition, motorcycle-borne assaults appear to be increasing in the area immediately around the Embassy with three (3) Embassy employees targeted in the last 6 months (Ref A, B). ¶3. (SBU) On May 10, at approximately 0830 hours, Guatemalan attorney Rodrigo ROSENBERG Marzano was shot and killed outside of his residence in Zone 14, Guatemala City. In what appears to have been a targeted assassination, ROSENBERG was shot multiple times by unknown assailants as he went for a bicycle ride. ROSENBERG was a resident of an apartment building occupied by several mission families, again raising concerns that the lack of security throughout Guatemala City could potentially directly or indirectly affect mission personnel. On May 11, a videotape surfaced in which ROSENBERG implicated the Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom and Presidential Aide Gustavo ALEJOS in his death and alleged widespread corruption in the current administration. As of May 12, a demonstration denouncing the President and a demonstration in support of the administration had been reported - neither are directed at the mission or have turned violent. However, given the seriousness of the allegations, the scandal could lead to instability and violent protests. Additional details regarding the murder of ROSENBERG, the allegations against the administration and possible political fallout will be reported via septel. McFarland