/* Written 11:59 PM Jul 2, 1990 by gsleicher in igc:reg.guatemala */ /* ---------- "Cerigua Briefs" ---------- */ CERIGUA WEEKLY BRIEFS, June 25 - July 1, 1990 Human Rights Violations Highest in Four Years The number of human rights violations in June rose to levels unprecedented in Vinicio Cerezo's Christian Democratic administration. Citizens have continued to be kidnapped by heavily armed men, often in the presence of witnesses. Many of the bodies found on highways and empty lots showed signs of torture, and most were buried without being identified. A total of 267 violations of the right to life were recorded: 73 people murdered, 49 wounded in attacks, 125 bodies found in public places, and 20 persons kidnapped or disappeared. For the most part the government has remained silent as statistics climbed, although statements by government spokesperson Claudia Arenas and Internal Security Minister Carlos Morales coincided in claiming that the violence is due to "power struggles between well- organized gangs of burglars." Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department issued a Travel Advisory for U.S. citizens planning to visit Guatemala, which caused considerable alarm among tourism enterprises. The president of the Hotel Owners Guild recalled the "incalculable" losses to the hotel industry when the Travel Advisory was upheld for a long period of time during the 1980s. The tourism business sector was unanimous in demanding that the government put an end to the violence which prompted the State Department warning. In response, Internal Security Minister Morales said that the advisory is based on "exaggerated information regarding death and violence in this country." Change in Chief of Police In spite of official statements, the security structure has not gone untouched. Chief of Police Colonel Valerio Cardenas quietly resigned, and it was announced that Colonel Julio Caballeros would return to the post which he had occupied from 1987 to 1988. Caballeros' transfer to another position came about when the "white van" scandal was uncovered. The van, used in a number of kidnappings and murders of more than twelve people, was traced to one of the sections of the Police Department. Shortly after his return to the police was announced, Caballeros stated in an interview that he intended to increase the number of police officers on active duty. Most of the national police who are stationed as guards at embassies and other institutions, as well as those who work as personal bodyguards, will be assigned to patrol the streets, according to the new police chief's plan. Cerezo Defends Army Accusations by U.S. humanitarian organizations against the Guatemalan army, charging that it continues to violate human rights, were called "unjust and incorrect" by President Vinicio Cerezo. The Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA) released a report stating that the Guatemalan army has one of the worst human rights records in the entire continent, and asked the United States government to exert more pressure on those in the military associated with death squads. Cerezo defended the army, affirming that the accusations "are understandable but unjust and incorrect." He further noted that the army had "accepted the opening of political spaces." The COHA report called the Guatemalan army "powerful and untouchable," and said that the office of the presidency is held in name only. Guatemala Immersed in Poverty Recent statistics reveal that 87 percent of the Guatemalan population lives in extreme poverty, according to Social Democratic analyst Gabriel Aguilera. Many popular organizations have pointed out that the economic measures implemented throughout the Cerezo administration, which were intended to raise funds for the state at short notice, have caused drastic rises in the cost of living. Sources add that no parallel measures have been taken to protect consumers. Committee for Campesino Unity (CUC) leader Diego Ixmata accused the government of taking an "irresponsible attitude" towards the deteriorating economy of thousands of Guatemalans. He said that protests and demands from the popular sector have been ignored, and that the development process Cerezo claims the country is undergoing only benefits the economically powerful. Insolvency of Guatemalan State Congressman Hermes Marroquin, of the Christian Democratic party, said that the Guatemalan state has reached a point of insolvency that prevents it from meeting national and international payments. His report indicates that the Ministry of Finance only managed to collect one billion quetzales (less than 400 million dollars) in the first six months of this year. The state of insolvency affects the payment of the fuel debt (20 million dollars monthly), the foreign debt interests, and the transportation, electricity and potable water subsidies, among others. The Guatemalan state expenditures for 1990 total 3,600,000,000 quetzales. Talks Between URNG and Private Enterprise The next in the series of talks between the Guatemalan insurgency and the country's different sectors has been tentatively set for the second half of July, according to an announcement by the Commission for National Reconciliation (CNR). This time the rebels will meet representatives of private enterprise. In May the CNR moderated a meeting between the URNG and delegates from the Guatemalan political parties. New Mexican Legislation on Refugees Refugees in Mexico will be protected by all the guarantees of that country's Constitution, and will now be allowed to acquire property under new refugee laws approved by the Mexican Senate. More than 40,000 Guatemalan refugees who live in Mexico will be able to renew their permits for remaining in the country as many times as necessary. Along with all other refugees, they have been assured that they will not be sent back to their country nor to any other in which their lives, liberty or security are at risk. Recommendations from human rights, governmental and non- governmental organizations were added to the original proposal sent by President Carlos Salinas. The Senate proposal included the adoption of the refugee figure, and determined economic punishment for those involved in trafficking human beings. Deforestation Continues at Alarming Rate Agronomy expert Luis Castaneda denounced that the deforestation rate in Guatemala is 400 km2 per year, while only 18 km2 per year are reforested. He also pointed out that 80% of the population used wood for fuel. Congressional representatives revealed that Mexican border authorities have confiscated large shipments of precious hardwoods, especially mahogany and cedar, which were illegally cut in Guatemala and were to be smuggled across the Peten border into Mexico. Until a short time ago, the state institution for the development of Peten (FYDEP) illegally authorized licenses for cutting down hardwood trees. FYDEP, which operated under military control, was cancelled last year due to corruption, but the officers charged with closing the institution have meanwhile continued granting licenses Giant Jaguar Temple Could Collapse The Giant Jaguar Temple of Tikal, famous all over the world as a symbol of Guatemala, is about to crumble. The Minister of Culture stated last week that the monument can not be repaired. Requests for donations were sent out last month, but culture ministry authorities are now saying that they lack the necessary human resources for an adequate restoration. The temple has been damaged by both pillage and unskilled attempts at restoration. UNESCO declared the Giant Jaguar as a "historical heritage of humanity," and hundreds of thousands of tourists have carried away images of the splendid monument. The daily Prensa Libre reported that the University of Pennsylvania Museum worked on a project for fourteen years at Tikal, and during this period drilled several tunnels into the temple without notifying the proper authorities or obtaining necessary permission. Extreme Right Switches Presidential Candidate The presidential candidate of the extreme right-wing Guatemalan National Liberation Movement party (MLN), Manuel Ayau, unexpectedly withdrew from that party's electoral ticket in accordance with the MLN decision to support another candidate. Along with Ayau's resignation, several high-ranking members of the MLN left the party. Although rumors had pointed to several possible candidates, it appeared towards the end of the week that Carlos Porras is the chosen one. Porras is president of Coca-Cola in Guatemala and a stockholder in the largest private bank in the country and in several local and Salvadoran companies. He is also a founder and member of the board of directors of the Center for Strategic Studies for National Stability, which is headed by former Defense Minister Hector Gramajo. Press reports indicated that the political alliance which will carry Porras' candidacy includes the MLN, the Revolutionary Party (PR), the Party for National Renewal (PNR), the United Action Party (MAS), the Emerging Movement for Concordance party (MEC), the Front for National Advancement party (FAN), and the Democratic Party (PD). * * * * * * * * * * Subscribe to Weekly Briefs by sending check or money order to ANI, PO Box 28481, Seattle, WA 98118. Subscription fees in the U.S. and Canada: $9 for 3 months, $18 for 6 months, $36 for one year. Also please send us your comments, suggestions and any changes of address to the same post office box listed above. Thanks.