Reply #102: Violations in Guatemala "extrajudicial killing of certain categories of persons is almost routine"

[L. Coyote]

Document 6: CIA Cable,
From: Chief, Latin America Branch, To: Immediate Director,
"Station Investigation of Human Rights Violations in Guatemala," October 15, 1991.
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB27/

On October 15, 1991, the CIA station in Guatemala sent an “eyes only” cable to Mr. Ward (identified as “Chief/LA”) titled “Station investigation of human rights violations in Guatemala.” Summarizing the murder of U.S. citizen Michael Devine, the cable states that “the entire command structure of the military zone where the killing took place was controlled by men known to be capable of murder under the most casual pretext.” At least one of those commanders was a paid CIA asset. After discussing several other cases, the cable concludes by reporting that “the extrajudicial killing of certain categories of persons is almost routine.”

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB27/03-01.htm

I was one of the "certain categories of persons" when I traveled through the wars in Central America. In Guatemala I was repeatedly told I would be killed. Turns out they were right, albeit my life was saved by the rapid response of those who stopped my bleeding. I was only stabbed nine times "by men known to be capable of murder under the most casual pretext."

Also in Guatemala, from my journal of Jan. 26, 1986:

Ah, death. In this morning's paper there is a story of three dead men found by the garbage dump gleaners. The three bodies had tied hands and legs, were gagged, had been tortured and had gunshot wounds. They had been killed by strangulation, wrapped in large plastic bags and dumped. People sifting and searching the landfill for food or useful items opened the bags. Last night on the sidewalk I had a conversation with an individual who I must not name to protect this person from the guilty. I was warned to be careful about what I say. This person said that if one is noticed opposing the government or speaking out nothing happens immediately but they determine where you sleep and at night two carloads of judicial police enter your residence, take you away and you are never seen again. I was also told that the people live in fear, that it is unwise to venture more than a few blocks from your home because you do not know when a policeman might ask for your identification, and that the officials claim that guerrillas do these things, adding that the people know that it is the police and soldiers who are responsible.

I was surprised at such a warning and outpouring and, if it is true, at the risk of making the statement. When the same new Jeep passed a second time we quickly disappeared into the night.