When Pedro Zamora, a leader of Guatemala’s dockworker union was murdered on January 15, 2007, ILWU officials joined other labor leaders to demand justice for this cold-blooded killing that occurred during a struggle against privatization at the Pacific Port of Quetzal.

On July 22-26, Vice President Joe Radisich, Local 23 President Conrad Spell, and Northern California Area Director Joe Cabrales, joined a delegation of labor officials who traveled to Guatemala on a fact-finding and solidarity mission. The group met with Guatemala’s Attorney General, the Human Rights Commission, Port Authority, and the U.S. Ambassador.

“We made it clear that Pedro’s murder appeared to be more like a political assassination than the random act of violence that some officials had suggested,” said Radisich. “We told them Zamora’s murder is being discussed at City Councils and in Congress, and that it could impact foreign aid funding for Guatemala.”

To back up those claims, Radisich brought resolutions and letters of support from the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Carson, plus the Los Angeles Port Commission. The resolutions and letters condemned the killing and called for Zamora’s assassins to be brought to justice. The documents were formally presented to Zamora’s son during a visit to the Port of Quetzal and the union headquarters where delegates met with a group of 800 dock workers. Guatemalan dockworkers earn about $150 per week compared to the country’s average of less than $2 a day.
 
The bullet-ridden car where Zamora died is still sitting in front of the nearby police station. Guatemalan officials had promised an aggressive and thorough investigation, but have produced no suspects and little information besides speculating that Zamora’s killing may have resulted from a family dispute or random act of violence instead of investigating the obvious connection to his role in fighting privatization at the Port.

Companies doing business at the Port of Quetzal include Maersk, the NYK Line, and Maruba. Chiquita bananas are loaded at another facility. Chiquita was recently exposed in U.S. Congressional hearings for funding right-wing paramilitary groups in Colombia that are linked to the assassination of many labor leaders.

“We’ll continue asking questions and demanding answers until there’s justice, and try to protect the remaining union leaders who are carrying on this fight” says Joe Radisich.