15
from the other side of the “pick-up.” An individual kicked him and ordered
him to board the microbus. Mr. López Arrivillaga heard when the leader of the
group gave the order to kill Mr. Carpio Nicolle and observed how they shot
him at pointblank range when he stepped forward to protect his wife, Mrs.
Arrivillaga de Carpio.
When the men departed, the delegation went to Chichicastenango. Mr. Carpio
Nicolle was still alive, but he was bleeding heavily. Mr. Villacorta Fajardo died
in the vehicle. When they reached Chichicastenango, they went to a small
clinic. However, they decided to take Mr. Carpio Nicolle to the departmental
capital, Santa Cruz de El Quiché.
Mr. Carpio Nicolle’s execution had a tremendous impact on the UCN. Some
party members chose to leave the party, fearing reprisals. There was no one
with the leadership qualities required to replace Mr. Carpio Nicolle, and,
consequently, there was total disarray within the party. An effort was made to
unite all the sectors of the party, but this was not possible.
One year after Mr. Carpio Nicolle’s murder, Mr. López Arrivillaga was third on
the list of candidates for deputy, but the party only obtained one seat in
Congress. He was a member of a slate formed to take control of the party in
order to focus it on the plans left to it by Mr. Carpio Nicolle. However, he
chose to resign, even after he had won. Mr. Carpio Nicolle’s death destroyed
his political and legislative career, which had given him political and financial
stability.
The events of July 3, 1993, had a severe impact on the witness, thinking that
he could have been one of those who died. The tragedy had consequences on
the family he had just formed. He carried a weapon all the time and began to
drink too much. He felt a growing concern for his wife and children, because
the situation was very tense, particularly when one of the people investigating
the case was murdered. The threats increased for several people who were
involved in the proceedings.
For the good of his family and owing to his neighbor’s fears, he had to leave
his home and visited a psychiatrist on several occasions. Subsequently, he
was divorced and his household broke up. He abandoned the construction of a
house and, consequently, lost all he had invested in it. He had expenses due
to living in a different house from his wife and children; and also related to
food and other payments for a security agent.
Even though he has overcome many of his fears, the damage is done, and it
is something he has to deal with. He lives with the anxiety of being ambushed
or executed. He is also worried, because he is sure that some people are
displeased that this proceeding has been filed.
He requests that those responsible be captured, that the State assume its
responsibility, and that the next of kin be compensated for the loss of their
loved ones. Lastly, he requests that, based on fairness, just compensation be
established for the damage to his life project.
c)
Testimony of Sydney Shaw Díaz, student