http://www.boingboing.net/2009/05/11/guatemala-in-youtube.html I bet Alvaro Colom is crapping his pants right now. This is something you would expect to see in a movie. Quick summary: Rodrigo Rosenberg was the lawyer of two men who were murdered after they resigned from a presidentially appointed state bank position. They were placed there because of their well reputed names in business, hoping to give the state bank a better reputation after corruption accusations. Rodrigo wanted to make this story known to the public, and knew he would be murdered for it as well, so he sent out a video which was uploaded to youtube. He was murdered on May 10th. It should be interesting to see how this plays out.
More updates from the same blog: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/05/12/guatemala-protests-f.html I was wanting to take a trip through Central America soon...looks like Guatemala might be on the "Things to avoid" list.
Rodrigo Rosenberg was the personal lawyer of businessman Kalil Musa. As you mentioned he was appointed to head Banrural where the state of Guatemala has 30% of its assets. Apparently Alvaro Colom's government uses Banrural for money laundering connected to drug trafficking and other illegal activities together with other prominent but corrupt businessman like Gregorio Valdez and Gustavo Alejos. Kalil Musa became aware of this and for that he has murdered along with his daughter Marjorie Musa who was his right hand. They were murdered just last March. Rosenberg was aware of all of this and threaten to break his silence. And for that he was murdered too. Rosenberg was prepared with evidence in case he died. not just the video but other legal papers as evidence of Alvaro Colom's corrupt government. He starts saying in the video "Good evening my name is Rodrigo Rosenberg Marzano and if you are seeing or listening to this message it was because unfortunately I was murdered by president Álvaro Colom with the help of Gustavo Alejos and Gregorio Valdez.". He was murdered last Sunday and supposedly this was recorded 4 days before. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlM_Kga8HhI"]YouTube - Video Rosenberg parte 1[/ame] RIP Rodrigo Rosenberg, brave man.
I'm usually down with dumb jokes...but I don't even see how this is funny to anyone, let alone yourself.
I wasn't joking. I've had enough of Guatemala as it is, that place is even more violent than El Salvador. And thats not a joke either.
Proof? The last 4 years have seen an unprecedented surge in violence there. I don't have numerical data on it, but I know a lot of Hondurans were more afraid of traveling to Guatemala than they were El Salvador.
Honduras and El Salvador are more violent than Guatemala. Proof of it is that 53% of gang members in Guatemala are citizens from these countries (a study conducted in Guatemala). But I think its pretty ridiculous discussing who is worst when all 3 have a violence problem. You can go ahead and skip Guatemala during your trip but you're the one that will be missing out. Our country has much more to offer than Honduras and El Salvador. We are the most visited country in CA right above CR.
Well, if I skip anything, it will be guatemala city. I have friends in Quetzaltenango, and near Tikal...both places I don't have too many worries about violence or crime. But I think if I travel to Honduras, it will be by plane...the bus routes have constant problems with hijackings and renting a car is almost unconsionably expensive.
English subtitles: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC_ODpxMA10"]The Unspeakable Murder of Rodrigo Rosenberg (English subtitles)[/ame] part two: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB3FZozmNAE&feature=channel_page"]The Unspeakable Murder of Rodrigo Rosenberg Marzano (English sub.) part 2[/ame]
Wow...that video is some pretty hardcore stuff. I can't imagine how threatened he must have felt to make it. He has all my respect, not everybody would have preferred to risk death rather than look the other way. Hope his family is not in any danger.
Yesterday's protests. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EYofVPevKw"]YouTube - Manifestación en Parque Central[/ame]
Something that you guys havent mentioned in here is "what if" someone else killed this lawyer and not the President. Who knows it could be a Narco and just forcing the lawyer to say that it was the president that sent someone to kill him. Hey it happens in Colombia it could happen in Guate. For the guy that said that Guate is violent, c'mon dude when is your time is your time no matter where you at. If you go to Guate enjoy it, dont worry about this and that.
Why are Marco Pappa and Carlos Ruiz holding protest signs in Guatemala City? Ok, the guy on the left isn't THAT close to Marco, but the guy on the right looks a LOT like Carlos.