Guatemala murder scandal could threaten the presidency

Christian Science Monitor ^ | May 20, 2009 | By Ezra Fieser (Contributor) & Sara Miller Llana (Staff Writer)

[Auntie Mame]

Accusations that President Alvaro Colom helped orchestrate the murder of a prominent lawyer continue to intensify – deepening divisions in a country still recovering from a 36-year civil war.

Guatemala City and Mexico City

The scandal surrounding accusations that Guatemala's president orchestrated the murder of a prominent lawyer is intensifying – deepening divisions in a country still recovering from a 36-year civil war. It is also, according to some analysts, handing the country its greatest threat to democracy since that war ended in 1996.

Tens of thousands of Guatemalans have taken to the streets since a video emerged in which Rodrigo Rosenberg, the lawyer, accused Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom and three others of murder and corruption.

Mr. Rosenberg, who was shot dead while riding his bike on May 10, recorded the video days earlier, saying in it that: "If you are watching this, it is because I was murdered by President Alvaro Colom, with the help of Gustavo Alejos," the president's secretary.

Mr. Colom denies any involvement and says the protests are politically motivated. His critics maintain that they are not out to topple any president but merely are seeking the truth.

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VAST RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY?

Colom, the nation's first leftist president in 50 years, says the scandal is a right-wing political conspiracy designed to bring down his government.

His administration has challenged the traditional power brokers, including former military officials. Earlier this year, he agreed to open a police archive that details information on left-leaning dissidents abducted and killed during the country's civil war.

[Auntie Mame]

This is a fascinating story and if it you think it can't happen here, well, you're wrong, it already has.

Here's the YouTube video link of the lawyer's videotaped bombshell:

The Unspeakable Murder of Rodrigo Rosenberg (English subtitles)

[ABQHispConservative]

I got family in Guatemala, and although an on going scandal, things have calmed down. There was a major march this last Sunday.

Besides, all the politicians are on the take down there. What would be news is a politician that is not on the take.

[Auntie Mame]

I watched the eight minute video and I just can’t see anyone going to the lengths this man did without what he is saying being the truth. To think that the President had a man murdered!

[BobL]

“I watched the eight minute video and I just can’t see anyone going to the lengths this man did without what he is saying being the truth. To think that the President had a man murdered!”

I think the families of Ron Brown and Vince Foster (and many others) would agree with you.

[ABQHispConservative]

According to what I have heard, the guy isn’t necessarily clean, but the fact that he left a “testament” shows some guts. It is odd that he would choose to go bike riding on the day he was murdered, rather than to go into hiding, but who knows what else is going on.

What shocked Guatemalans the most is the fact that the guy pointed out the President, the First Lady, the President’s private secretary and the manager of a major bank. This is quiet for now, but it will bubble up soon. This could mean that the party of the President will lose more seats in Congress.