WEEKLY SITUATION REPORT: INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM ARTICLE RE CLIFFORD BEVENS FOUND MURDERED IN GUATEMALA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00109797
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: January 23, 2020
• Case Number: F-2016-02132
• Publication Date: August 19, 1981

pproved for Release: 2020/01/22 CO0109797
INTERNATIONAL
TERRORISM
APPROVED FOR RELEASE APRIL 1997
DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONTAIN EVALUATED
INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION
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2 PAGES
NONRE S PONS IVE
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Members of the Guerrilla Army of the Poor (EGP) murdered Clif-
ford Elevens, the kidnapped American manager of the Guaternalan.sub-
sidiary of the Goodyear Tire Company, on 13 August, when Government
of Guatemala security forces, unaware that Sevens was inside, raided a
wooden frame safchouse in Santo Domingo Xenacoj near Santa Maria
Cauoue (14 38 N 90 42 W). In the firelight, five guerrillas, including two
women were killed. Berens had been kidnapped on 7 December 1980.
(Sec the issue of 10 December l980.)4111
Berens, who was clad in pajamas, was found in an underground
"people's jair/cache with three bullet holes in his head. Guatemalan
authorities speculate that the Revolutionary Organization of the People
in Arms (ORPA). which originally abducted Sevens for USSIO million
ransom. recently turned Sevens over to the EGP because of the numer-
ous raids by Guatemalan forces on ORPA safehouscs. They believe
ORPA ordered the EGP to kill Sevens rather than have him returned
alive. Four of the guerrillas were killed while attempting to defend the
site or escape. The fifth guerrilla apparently killed &items and then
committed suicide when be realized there was no escape; his body was
found near that of Berens in the underground site.1111111111.
The safehouse contained numerous weapons including five Chinese
RPG-2 type rocket launchers, 60mm mortar shells, one U.S. M60 ma-
chiriegun. one 57mm recoilless rifle with ammunition, and one .50 caliber
machinegun. A large EGP banner was also found. Authorities believe
that two .50 caliber machineguns and four 57mm recoilless rifles are still
in the hands of the
This was one of five more guerrilla safe houses/caches raided by
Guatemalan forces on 13-14 August, bringing the total to either 22 or
27, depending on the source. Guatemalan forces are taking precautions
to secure the area around the sites so that innocent bystanders are not
caught in the crossfire..
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18 PAGES
NONRE S PONS IVE
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