PSI condemns murder of union leader Ronaldo Gómez Godoy of the National Health Union of Guatemala

The act of violence occurred on September 23, when two hired assassins committed the vile murder of union leader Ronaldo Geovany Gómez Godoy (Lalo), who was the secretary-vocal of the Jutiapa community area of the National Union of Health Workers of Guatemala (SNTSG), a PSI affiliate organization.

In the face of this cruel crime, PSI expresses its condemnation of such cowardly violence carried out against our affiliated organization and the Guatemalan trade union movement. Guatemala has a long history of rape, threats and even assassinations against union leaders and activists, simply for organizing in unions, defending workers' rights and denouncing acts of corruption.

We stand in solidarity with and offer our sincere condolences to Lalo's family, friends and SNTSG comrades, for whom we ask for strength, wisdom and resilience in the face of such an irreparable loss.

This most recent violent act against our affiliated organization represents yet another violation of Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining in Guatemala since the attack itself is aimed at limiting and intimidating union participation and action.

We demand that the Attorney General fully investigate and charge all those that are materially and intellectually responsible for this most recent act of violence that has devastated Ronaldo’s family and his union that represents workers at the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.

In addition, we demand that the Ministry of the Interior and other responsible authorities immediately provide protection and prevention mechanisms to stop violence against union leaders, activists and members who defend workers' rights every day in the exercise of their fundamental right to freedom of association.