Hoffa Calls Upon State Department to Investigate the Murder of Teamster Representative in El Salvador

Hoffa Calls Upon State Department to Investigate the Murder of Teamster Representative in El Salvador

Official Statement of Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa

November 11, 2004

On Friday, November 5, 2004, Teamster Representative Jose Gilberto Soto, 49, was shot in the back and killed while visiting Usulutan, El Salvador. To date, the police have done little to apprehend what appears to be a death squad that killed our representative.

It is our understanding that there was no robbery; Mr. Soto was not involved in any criminal activity. He was organizing port drivers, the most exploited truck drivers in the U.S., and he was visiting El Salvador on behalf of the Teamsters to meet with Central American trade union leaders and port drivers.

Mr. Soto was a trusted and respected Teamster leader from the Port of New York/New Jersey. We are concerned that his murder is related to his leadership position with the Teamsters and intention to meet with labor leaders and port drivers in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras.

I have sent a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell asking for the government’s assistance in urging officials in El Salvador to conduct a thorough investigation and manhunt to capture these killers.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Soto family, and I pledge that the Teamsters Union will do everything within its power to help apprehend these murderers and bring them to justice.

Mr. Soto’s passion for this cause was well known throughout the union, and it would dishonor his memory if we did not continue this fight. He recognized the need to organize port drivers who have been exploited by steamship lines for far too long. We will not waver from this fight – we will not back down. We will bring justice to these workers as a tribute to Gilberto Soto. We know he would not have it any other way.

Click hereto download a high resolution photo of Gilberto Soto for news purposes.