VZCZCXYZ0006
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGT #0147/01 0481738
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY AD2FFF1A AMG5083-648)
P 171738Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6960
INFO RUEHC/CENTRAL AMERICAN BASIN COLLECTIVE
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 5084

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000147 
 
SIPDIS 
 
C O R R E C T E D  C O P Y (ADDED SIPDIS) 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/ITA/WHA, WHA/CEN, INR 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC GT KCRM PHUM PTER SNAR
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA: ESCALATING VIOLENCE 
 
REF: A. GUATEMALA SPOT REPORTS (2) 01/15/2009 
     ¶B. 08 GUATEMALA 00116 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY: Guatemala is experiencing a significant 
escalation in the level of violent crime throughout the 
country, including areas in close proximity of the Embassy 
and Embassy staff residences.  In addition to a general 
increase in the frequency of street assaults and homicides, 
new weapons and tactics have been introduced in recent weeks, 
including the use of automatic rifles, the bombing of a 
public bus, and a grenade attack on a police substation. 
These attacks follow the record 2008 number of homicides, and 
a pattern of increased Mexican narcotrafficker activities. 
The violence is having an impact on Embassy operations; by 
septel we will request additional resources.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
AK-47 ATTACKS: 
 
¶2.  (U) On February 16, 2009, at approximately 1430 hours and 
within nine blocks of the Embassy, the occupants of two 
vehicles reportedly began firing automatic weapons at each 
other.  Three of the vehicle occupants involved and two 
pedestrians were injured by the gunfire.  When the vehicles 
were later recovered by the National Civilian Police (PNC), 
they contained three AK-47 automatic rifles, a pistol and a 
bulletproof vest.  PNC suspects the attack was 
narcotrafficking related; we concur. 
 
¶3.  (U) On February 3, 2009, at approximately 0545 hours and 
within eight blocks of the Embassy, two men on a motorcycle 
used an AK-47 automatic rifle to attack a public bus, 
wounding the driver and two passengers.  The PNC was able to 
capture one suspect and search his house, locating a pistol, 
an AK-47, bulletproof vests (one with a PNC logo), and 
ammunition.  Reportedly, the suspect was hired by the Mara 
Salvatrucha gang (MS-13) to attack buses that do not comply 
with extortion threats, and that he is routinely paid 300 
Quetzals (approximately 40 USD) or simply food and clothing 
to carry out such attacks.  Although attacks on buses are 
common in Guatemala, with 62 bus drivers murdered in 2008, 
the frequency of brazen daylight attacks in the proximity of 
the Embassy with collateral damage is rising sharply.  Since 
January 1, 2009, the press reports 16 bus drivers have been 
murdered, a rate increase of over 50% from 2008. 
 
 
BUS BOMBING: 
 
¶4.  (U) On February 10, 2009, at approximately 1000 hours and 
within 3 miles of the Embassy, a homemade bomb (containing 
tacks and nails as shrapnel) was detonated on a public bus, 
wounding four passengers.  PNC captured one of two suspected 
bombers, a Guatemalan female who is reportedly associated 
with MS-13.  Attacks on buses using bombs have not occurred 
in recent memory and may signify a major shift in tactics on 
the part of extortionists.  There is a huge potential of 
collateral damage if this tactic continues to be deployed. 
 
 
GRENADE ATTACK ON POLICE SUBSTATION: 
 
¶5.  (U) On February 16, 2009, at approximately 1945 hours and 
within 10 miles of the Embassy, a fragmentation grenade was 
thrown from a moving vehicle at a police substation in San 
Jose Pinula, injuring two pedestrians.  At 2100 hours, a call 
to this police substation threatened to continue attacks 
against all officers if the police did not immediately desist 
their policing activities. 
 
 
ATTACKS ON USG PERSONNEL (REF. A): 
 
¶6.  (SBU) On January 15, 2009, at approximately 1715 hours, 
an Embassy Locally Employed Staff (LES) member was assaulted 
at gunpoint while in her vehicle, within 5 blocks of the 
Embassy and in close proximity of Embassy personnel 
Embassy and in close proximity of Embassy personnel 
residences.  When the victim failed to comply with their 
demand for valuables, one of the two assailants struck the 
victim in the head with the butt of a pistol.  The victim 
subsequently gave the assailant her cell phone and escaped 
with minor injuries. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) On January 14, 2009, at approximately 1730 hours, 
an American USG official was assaulted at gunpoint while in 
his car, within 10 blocks of the Embassy and in close 
proximity of Embassy personnel residences.  When the victim 
failed to comply with the demand for valuables, one of the 
two assailants fired a semi-automatic pistol at him. 
Although the bullet entered the car, it narrowly missed the 
victim and he escaped physically unharmed. 
 
 
EMBASSY RESPONSE: 
 
¶8.  (U) Embassy Guatemala has recently distributed Security 
Notices and Warden messages regarding the increased level of 
violence and street crime.  Numerous Town Hall meetings have 
been held at Embassy facilities for all staff as well as 
throughout the country for AmCits.  These Town Hall meetings 
covered general security precautions, recent criminal trends, 
guidance on what to do during an assault, and instructions to 
avoid all public buses. 
 
¶9.  (U) On February 2, 2009, Embassy Guatemala requested that 
the start date for the New Embassy Compound (NEC) 
construction be moved from 2019 to an earlier timeframe (REF. 
B).  Embassy will submit by septel additional requests for 
resources to respond to the current and anticipated security 
environment. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) On February 18, 2009, the Ambassador will propose 
to the Minister of Government that the Embassy provide the 
PNC with the following equipment to increase security 
presence in the area of the Embassy and Embassy personnel 
residences: motorcycles for 24/7 patrol and rapid response, 
surveillance cameras to aid criminal investigations. 
 
¶11.  (U) Although Guatemala has numerous places of interest 
for Embassy personnel to visit for rest, recuperation, and 
recreation, the increased violence and perceived lawlessness 
is significantly limiting or outright eliminating options for 
US personnel to safely enjoy any time spent outside of their 
residence. 
McFarland