Colonel Edgar Godoy Gaitan, accused of participating in an illegal purchase of Sikorsky helicopters, unsuccessfully sued Lemus for defamation of character. Assassination Attempt Against President Guatemala City, July 3. President Ramiro de Leon has narrowly survived an assassination attempt, according to police authorities. Police chief Salvador Figueroa says someone placed a telephone call warning of a plot to murder the president. The assassination was to take place as the president spoke from the National Palace balcony for Army Day, on June 30.
Some observers doubt the police chief's statements.
Security forces have presented as proof of the plot a high- powered rifle they found in the Ritz Hotel near the palace. They say they also found clothing with Spanish and Italian trademarks, and a beret with Arabic lettering. Authorities say the clothing indicates the killer may be a foreigner. Police say the would-be assassin escaped. The room had been registered under the name German Salvatierra, and the occupant had left his belongings two days before the assassination attempt, and never returned.