“Both alleged mothers met untimely and violent deaths soon after our investigation…” US Embassy Guatemala cable, June 1995

An excerpt from a June 1995 Cable from the US Embassy in Guatemala to Secretary of State in Washington, US Embassy Mexico, US Embassy Guangzhou, ARA Central America, American Consulate Rio de Janeiro, US Embassy  Moscow, American Consulate Madras, US Embassy Bucharest, US Embassy Asuncion, & INS Washington DC. Subject: “The Integrity of Int’l Adoptions and service to AmCits (American Citizens)” “We can now state unequivocally, but sadly, that there are instances of child stealing in Guatemala. In recent meetings with Emboffs (Embassy officials), Guatemalan Deputy Attorney General for Children’s Issues Carmela Curup Chacon, and Director of Criminal Investigations for the Public Ministry, Estuardo Solorzano Elias, acknowledged such trafficking, noting their individual experiences. Based on our experience with the strident, personal attacks on initiated by adoptive parents and their supporters, including in the Congress, upon individual consular officers in cases that turn sour, it would certainly be expedient of us to ignore such facts and issue orphan visas without hesitation. It would also be dead wrong.” Download the full cable (14-page .pdf) here:  http://findingfernanda.com/documents/june-95.pdf