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Guatemala: Whether the G-2 or D-2 is still operational and, if so, the likelihood that members of a G-2 operative's family would be targetted by agents of the left or government authorities, taking into account that the operative was active from 1991 to 1994; what is the likelihood that these family members would be harassed today due to their relative's involvement in G-2 even if he/she left the country in 1994; what are the avenues of redress and protection that the families of former G-2 operatives have

For recent information on the current status of G-2, please consult GTM30348.E of 6 November 1998 which mainly consists of a telephone interview with the Jane's Information Group specialist on Central American armed forces. Jane's Information Group is located in Great Britain and is considered a world authority on armed forces and security affairs. The source is Jane's correspondent for Latin America since 1991, who is based in San Francisco. He is a frequent traveller to Central America where he conducts research on behalf of Jane's publications.

The following information was obtained during a 27 November 1998 telephone interview with an official in charge of verification in the human rights section of MINUGUA in Guatemala City.

The official stated that MINUGUA has not received any reports on and was unaware of any cases of G-2 members or former members harassed or threatened by former members of the guerrilla or any governmental authority. "If there is any case of that nature, it is likely that it is current or former members of G-2 harassing or threatening former members of the guerrillas or affiliated with a left-wing organization and not the other way around. It can also be members of the G-2 going against each other." The official reported that there is a Ley de protección para testigos in Guatemala (more or less similar to the U.S. Witness Protection Program) for cases involving individuals working for the government and its agencies who fear for their security. However, she added that the lack of funding makes it almost impossible to apply this law in reality, at least to a high number of individuals. "If there is an imminent danger to the person, the government can provide physical protection but this would need to be a various serious case, the sort of high-profile case to be presented to the Human Rights Presidential Commission." 

The Research Directorate could not find any written reports documenting threats or harassment of former G-2 operatives' families by current or former members of left-wing organizations or governmental authorities. However, a 1996 article from the magazine The Progressive provides information on G-2 hit squads operating in the United States "to intimidate or eliminate its opponents, according to former Guatemalan intelligence and military officers, human rights activists, and a former Drug Enforcement Agency agent" (June 1996).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

MINUGUA, Guatemala City. 27 November 1998. Telephone interview with an official in charge of verification at the human rights section.

The Progressive. June 1996. "Guatemala Hit-Squads Come to the U.S.A." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Central America Newspak [Austin, Tex.]. 1996-1998.

Central America Report [Toronto]. 1996-1998.

Centroamerica [Minneapolis]. 1996-1998.

Cerigua [Guatemala City].1998.

Guatemala Human Rights Update [Washington, DC]. 1996-1998.

Jane's Intelligence Review [London]. 1996-1998.

Latin America Regional Reports: Caribbean and Central America Report [London]. 1996-1998.

Latin America Weekly Report [London]. 1996-1998.

Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). 30 March 1995. Rachel Garst. "Military Intelligence and Human Rights in Guatemala: The Archivo and the Case of Intelligence Reform." Washington, DC: WOLA.

Electronic Sources: IRB Databases, Global News Bank,  Internet, REFWORLD, World News Connection (WNC).

Topics: Persecution of family members,