Guatemala: Information regarding Gustavo Herrera and his involvement with the military and the political party Union de Centro Nacional (UCN)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GTM19267.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Guatemala: Information regarding Gustavo Herrera and his involvement with the military and the political party Union de Centro Nacional (UCN), 1 January 1995, GTM19267.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acc410.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to an article from Central America Update, Gustavo Herrera Gonzalez, a 23-year-old law student at the University of San Carlos, in Guatemala City, was reported to have been kidnapped and killed by armed men as he was collecting contributions for the "Good Friday" celebrations (13 Apr. 1990). The murder was reported to have taken place between March 26 and March 28 1990 (ibid.).
According to the director of the Center for Human Legal Rights based in Guatemala City and Washington DC, the "Good Friday" (Huelga de Dolores) is a satirical feast organized mainly by the students of the University of San Carlos, to protest against the government and the army and their alleged involvements in human rights violations. In a telephone interview, the director stated that this Good Friday celebration is held once a year, the week before Holy Week (25 Jan. 1995).
Although the source could not provide any information on Gustavo Herrera Gonzalez's case, he did mention that some student murders occurred during the 1990 and 1991 "Good Friday" celebrations (ibid.). For information on Gustavo Herrera Gonzalez's abduction as well as on Guatemala's political parties, including the Union de Centro Nacional, please consult the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.
References
Central America Update. 13 April 1990. "Guatemala City: Three University Students, Local Merchant Assassinated."
Center for Human Legal Rights. Washington DC. 25 January 1995. Telephone interview with director.
Attachments
Central America Update [Toronto]. 13 April 1990. "Guatemala City: Three University Students, Local Merchant Assassinated."
Political Parties of the Americas: 1980s-1990s. 1992. Edited by Charles D. Ameringer. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press,
pp. 333-339, 345-346.
Additional Sources Consulted
News From Americas Watch [New York]. January 1990-December 1992.
Andean Newsletter [Lima]. January 1990-December 1992.
Central America Newspak [Austin, Tx]. January 1990-December 1992.
Central America Report [Guatemala City]. January 1990-December 1992.
Central America Update [Toronto]. January 1990-December 1992.
Inter-Church Committee on Human Rights in Latin America (ICCHRLA). Yearly. Annual Reports: General Concerns and Brief Country Reports. 1991-1994.
Latin America Update [Washington]. January 1990-December 1992.
Latin America Press [Lima]. January 1990-December 1992.
Latin American Newsletters [London]. January 1990-December 1993.
Latin American Regional Reports: Southern Cone Report [London]. January 1991-December 1992.
Latin American Special Reports [London]. January 1991-December 1992.
Mexico Newspak [Austin, Tx]. January 1991-December 1992.
NACLA Report on the Americas. January 1991-December 1992.
Problèmes d'Amérique latine. January 1991-December 1992.
On-line searches
Oral sources