VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTG #1361 2132022
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 012022Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2854
INFO RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNFB/FBI WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 0976

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001361 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, AND DSCC 
WHA/CAN AND CA/OCAS/ACS/WHA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC KCRM PGOV KSAC CASC HO
SUBJECT: AUGUST 1 UPDATE ON THE KIDNAPPING OF AMERICAN 
CITIZEN RAMON J. ACIDE IN SAN PEDRO SULA. 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: On Saturday, July 29, 2006 RSO received 
several calls from the father of Ramon Acide, Joaquin Acide. 
He explained that he was frustrated with the pace of the 
investigation and felt local police officials were not doing 
enough to assist with the safe return of his son. Ramon was 
kidnapped on July 17 and several hours later a ransom demand 
of 5 million lempira (USD 265,000) was made to the family, 
recently the ransom was reduced to 3.8 lempira (USD 201,000). 
The family has had only a few calls over the last two weeks 
from the kidnappers via cell phone and landline. End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) On Saturday, July 29 at approximately 1700 hours 
Joaquin Acide had contacted the RSO in reference to his son's 
abduction. He questioned RSO why the local police were moving 
so slow and that he saw no progress with the investigation. 
It was evident that Mr. Acide was frustrated and under stress 
from the two-week ordeal. RSO reviewed what local police 
officials were doing along with RSO and LEGATT San Salvador. 
RSO explained since no new contact was initialed by the 
kidnappers since Thursday, July 27, local officials have no 
new leads to pursue. RSO explained to Mr. Acide he would make 
a few calls to follow up with local officials and get back to 
him. Consul General spoke to GOH officials in San Pedro Sula, 
who said, they believe they had identified at least some of 
the kidnappers, though they had not located them. 
 
¶3. (SBU) RSO contacted LEGATT San Salvador who advised the 
FBI had offered the family help in the form of the Victim 
Assistance Program (VAP) which had contacted the mother and 
brother of the victim. The VAP coordinator met with the 
mother and brother in Miami and advised them of the different 
aspects of the program which they were eligible for. LEGATT 
San Salvador and RSO once again discussed what if any 
technical assistance could be provided to local police 
officials. LEGATT felt there was insufficient information 
(cell phone or landline) regarding phone contact with the 
kidnappers that FBI technical assistance could assist with at 
this time. Along those lines LEGATT provide numerous 
technical questions to RSO to pass to local police regarding 
phone calls, frequencies and so on. Once this information is 
obtained RSO will pass to LEGATT and a determination will be 
made to see if technical assistance will provide additional 
leads in the investigation. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Consul General spoke to FBI victim's assistance 
coordinator in Miami, most recently on July 31, and that 
office has been in contact with victim's mother to offer 
counsuling. RSO remains in contact with LEGATT San Salvador, 
local police, and the family. RSO is trying to ensure that 
all resources from the embassy, local law enforcement and 
LEGATT are brought to bear on this investigation for a safe 
return of Ramon Acide. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Embassy Tegucigalpa points of contact are RSO Bruce 
Lizzi and ACS Chief Naomi Walcott.. 
FORD