US embassy cable - 04GUATEMALA3164

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 003164 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, PHUM, PGOV, ELAB, KCRM, SNAR, EAID, KPAO, ECON 
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN UNION LEADER'S DEATH:  MORE COMMON CRIME 
 
 
1.  (U) Julio Rolando Raquec, Secretary of the Federation of 
Workers in the Informal Economy (FSTIG),  died after being 
mugged several blocks from his Guatemala City residence by 
unidentified individuals on November 30.  Raquec sustained 
fatal injuries during the robbery and died later the same 
day.  According to the police report, Raquec and his wife 
indicated to the police that they had been attacked by 
unknown men, who shot Raquec four times while taking his 
money.  The wife believed that the aggressors were gang 
members who operated in the area. (Comment: Raquez lived in 
Zone 6, which is one of the most dangerous parts of the city 
and has been designated a "red zone" for violence by the GOG). 
 
2. (U) Jose Pinzon, leader of the umbrella union CGTG, 
reported to PolOff that Raquec had received several phone 
threats in May and June 2004.  However, Pinzon recognized 
that Raquec's death appears to have been a common criminal 
act.  The FSTIG union is small and not widely visible or 
personally known to PolOffs.  The Public Ministry assigned 
the case to the Special Unit for Homicides, though PolOff has 
not been able to discuss the case further with the assigned 
prosecutor. 
HAMILTON