Rob Mercatante's Guatemala Journal: The passing of a Guerrillero

June 15, 2005

The passing of a Guerrillero

Sad, sad news.

Rodrigo Asturias, also known as Comandante Gaspar Ilom, passed away from a heart attack this afternoon.

Comandante Gaspar's "nom de guerre" was based on a character from the book Hombres de Maiz (Men of Maize) written by his father, Miguel Angel Asturias, a Guatemalan novelist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Rodrigo Asturias joined the guerrilla movement as a young man in his 20s. In 1979 he founded ORPA (the Revolutionary Organization of People in Arms). In 1982, together with Rolando Morán and Pablo Monsanto, he help found the URNG - the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity - which brought together the country's three different guerrilla groups and the Guatemalan Labor Party. He was a negotiator and an architect of the Peace Accords signed in 1996, that ended the 36-year civil war. He participated in the previous elections as the URNG's presidential candidate.

I feel privileged to have known Gaspar, a guerrillero leader dedicated to the struggle for social justice in Guatemala.

My fondest memories of him, without a doubt, are from the 1999 electoral campaign. I was working with the URNG Press Office, taking photographs of all the campaign activities for our homepage, the local newspapers, and other publicity materials.

Gaspar invited me to ride with him during the many trips into the Guatemalan countryside. While traveling from campaign stop to campaign stop, we'd share stories, drink vodka, and even take concurrent naps during the long stretches of open road. As we arrived at each new city, town or village, we'd shake ourselves awake, look at each other, and laugh. And then hit the ground running with renewed energy and excitement!

Comandante Gaspar was a gentle, affectionate, and dedicated revolutionary. Today Guatemala has lost one of her true heroes. And I have lost a dear friend.

Posted by elcanche at June 15, 2005 05:35 PM

Comments

Sorry for the loss of your friend. Just remember we are there with you and we are praying for his family as well. love sis

Posted by: Vicki at June 15, 2005 06:37 PM

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.
I looked at his picture, and you know sometimes how I say of people, "He/she has a nice face."
Comandante Gaspar has a nice face, and his soul shines through. I also noticed in the picture that he is wearing the URNG hat with the corn symbol that you designed. AS Vicki said, our prayers are with you, who lost a friend; his family, who lost a loved one; and the people of Guatemala, who lost a hero.

Posted by: Mom at June 16, 2005 07:39 AM

Rob, I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Rodrigo. Your description of him really shows what a remarkable man he was, and what a nice friend he was to you. God Bless you and my prayers are with you and his family. Love, Marisa

Posted by: Marisa at June 16, 2005 09:52 AM

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. Last night was a moving experience... seeing hundreds upon hundreds of people coming to the wake to pay their respects. (What a shame that it had to be Gaspar's funeral that brought together so many familiar, friendly faces.) The Comandante will be sorely missed by many.

Posted by: Rob at June 16, 2005 03:46 PM

Dear Rob: I am sorry to hear about your loss of Rodrigo. I did not know him personally but in many ways He was always with me. You lost your friend and I as a Guatemalan a hero and a leader. I am sure you will always think of Him. I will always teach my children and the children of my children and so on, what a great man he was. Through you I am sending my sympathy to his family and a symbolic prayer: esta oracion esta hecha de lagrimas de obsidiana y granos de maiz. pintada dulcemente con los cuatro colores del destino; rojo, blanco, negro y amarillo y en medio un millar de corazones que le gritan al azul del cielo como unisono rugir de volcanes. Gaspar Ilom! Hasta Siempre Comandante! Hasta Siempre! Love, Sarita.

Posted by: Sara De Leon at June 16, 2005 09:28 PM

Sorry about the death of your friend. Good friends are a treasure.............Love, Dad

Posted by: Dad at June 17, 2005 11:32 AM

Dear Sara,

Thank you for your kind thoughts and exquisitely poetic words. That was one of the most beautiful and moving prayers I have ever read! Gracias por tu simpatía y solidaridad.

Posted by: Rob at June 17, 2005 09:18 PM

Dad,

You're absolutely right. I'm going to miss him. Thanks for writing.

Posted by: Rob at June 17, 2005 09:20 PM