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UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001950 SUBJECT: HONDURAN LABOR LEADER IS MURDERED ON MAJOR HIGHWAY; NO EVIDENCE YET THAT MURDER IS CONNECTED TO HIS POSITION REF: Tegucigalpa 1. Francisco Cruz Galeano, a 44 year-old General Confederation of Workers (CGT) labor leader and coordinator for the regions of Comayagua, Intibuca and La Paz, was shot to death on September 11 in Ojo de Agua, on the road from Comayagua to Siguatepeque. Darwing Roberto Maradiaga, who was traveling with Cruz, was injured in the shoulder and leg. Cruz was driving a four-wheel drive vehicle when the murderers intercepted him. An undetermined number of assailants opened fire on the vehicle from the bushes on the highway. Cruz Galeano was reportedly hit by 25 bullets. As of September 16 police had no lead on the perpetrators. A special team from the General Direction of Criminal Investigation (DGIC) was assigned to work on the case. Leaders from the CGT have asked the Ministry of Public Security for priority answers in this case. 2. Daniel Duron, Secretary General of the CGT, stated publicly that the attempt on Cruz Galeano's life was carefully planned and it was not a random

assault. Investigators believe that individuals who perpetrated the murder knew of Cruz Galeano's comings and goings and knew the escape routes out of the area. Among possible hypotheses, police are considering revenge due to land tenure problems, an extramarital affair, possible debts, or his actions as leader of the CGT. 3. Political Chief spoke September 21 to Duron, an excellent Embassy contact, to express condolences for the death to the CGT and Cruz Galeano's family (who Duron was visiting at the time of the call). Duron said the CGT does not want to speculate on why Cruz Galeano was murdered, but he noted that he was an active labor leader and his murder might be related to his labor work. He promised to keep the Embassy informed about any information the CGT obtained about the murder. PolChief told Duron the Embassy was expressing USG interest in the investigation to the Ministry of Public Security, which oversees the police. Williard (Edited and reading.) reformatted by Andres for ease of