LATIN AMERICA WEEKLY REVIEW

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06626233
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: January 23, 2020
• Case Number: F-2016-02132
• Publication Date: February 2, 1978

Approved for Release: 2020/01/21 C06626233
National
FOreign
Assessment
Center
Latin America
Weekly Review
2 February 1978
seereL
RP LAWR 78-005
2 February 1978
Copy
Approved for Release: 2020/01/21 C06626233
Approved for Release: 2020/01/21 C06626233
ST
Guatemala: Herrera Kidnaping Case Ends
Following a dramatic, month-long series of events
worthy of a Hollywood screenplay, former Guatemalan For-
eign Minister Roberto Herrera Ibarguen--a close friend
and adviser of President Laugerud who was kidnaped on
31 December--was released on 30 January by the Guerrilla
Army of the Poor (EGP). Although Herrera was not exe-
cuted, as Laugerud and many others had expected, the af-
fair will nevertheless generate demands from conserva-
tive business and political leaders for a crackdown on
terrorists.
2 February 1978
20
Approved for Release: 2020/01/21 C06626233
Approved for Release: 2020/01/21 C06626233
The Herrera kidnaping
again demonstrate the EGP's capability to
challenge private and government security efforts in most
parts of the country and to absorb with apparent ease any
losses inflicted by the government. The prospect of con-
tinuing violence during the election campaign will only
increase the alarm of many business and political leaders.
2 February 1978
21
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2020/01/21 C06626233