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