Mexican Executive Slain in Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY – A Mexican citizen managing a chain of low-cost drug stores headed by Guatemalan indigenous leader and Nobel peace laureate Rigoberta Menchú was murdered by suspected gang members, authorities said.

The killing occurred Nov. 6 inside a pharmacy located in the poor capital neighborhood of El Paraiso, the National Civil Police, said.

The victim, identified as Victor Manuel García Ramos, was shot inside the store and died shortly thereafter at a hospital.

According to the police, García Ramos was killed by gang members in revenge because the managers of the El Paraiso branch of Farmacias Similares refused to pay protection money.

Farmacias Similares, which also runs medical clinics, is a Mexican brand whose franchise in Guatemala is owned by Menchú. They operate in several locations where they sell medicines at low cost.

Police launched an investigation to capture those responsible for the murder.