US embassy cable - 04GUATEMALA655

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000655 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, GT, CAVO, PROV 
SUBJECT: GOG REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE ON ALLEGED RACIAL 
TARGETING OF GUATEMALANS IN ATLANTA 
 
 
1. This is an action request for the Department--See Para 4. 
 
2.  During a March 9 meeting with Human Rights Officer, 
Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Marta Altolaguirre expressed 
concern regarding the possible racial motive in a recent 
attack against two Guatemalans in Atlanta.  The two men, 
Carlos Perez, 22, and Domingo Lopez, 54, were approached by 
an unidentified man in a car, who offered them work.  After 
the men entered the vehicle, they were driven to an isolated 
area, severely beaten and robbed.  The men were taken to a 
local emergency room where they were interviewed by the State 
Police. 
 
3. According to Altolaguirre, the Guatemalan Consul in 
Atlanta told her that this incident followed a series of 
similar-pattern attacks on Latinos in the area and the 
victims seemed to be selected based on racial targeting. 
Since many Guatemalans are illegally resident in the US, she 
said, they are therefore less likely to report crimes and at 
higher risk for violence. 
 
4. ACTION REQUEST. To be responsive to GOG concerns, Embassy 
requests that the Department inquire about the facts in this 
case or information on similar crimes targeting Latins with 
Georgia law enforcement authorities and share the results 
with us and the Guatemalan Embassy. 
HAMILTON