Special to the Herald

 ANTIGUA, Guatemala -- Threats against Americans that included the offer of $2,000 rewards for every one killed in this popular tourist city were the work of a petty thief
 with a personal vendetta against another person, police said Sunday.

 The supposed threats, which were reported last week by the U.S. Embassy, prompted the State Department to issue an alert to Americans visiting and living in Antigua, a
 mountain resort 22 miles from the capital, Guatemala City.

 Despite the police statement, U.S. officials continued to urge Americans to take precautions.

 The police said Sunday that the man who had called the embassy has been identified as a felon who wanted to implicate an associate by accusing him of planning
 attacks on U.S. citizens.

 ``This dates back to old personal problems. The threat was completely false,'' said Antigua Police Commissioner Alvaro Agustín Mejilla. ``We have a lot of cases of
 pranksters taking advantage of a tense atmosphere, and in this one, to take revenge for personal reasons.''

 But with anthrax attacks and scares in the United States and travel precautions issued to Americans abroad after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the embassy is urging
 U.S. citizens to be cautious.

 ``It's still something we take seriously, and we advise Americans to take precautions'' in Antigua, said embassy spokeswoman Kay Mayfield in Guatemala City.

 ``If we believe Americans are the target of attacks, it's our obligation to notify U.S. citizens.''

 Mayfield declined to comment on the investigations or police statements.

 Still, the alert caused turmoil.

 Locals and American expatriates questioned the warning, wondering what would provoke violence in one of Guatemala's most popular tourist spots.

 ``It's just ridiculous. This is a safe place, and there is no anti-American sentiment here,'' said Father Juan Carlos Cordova in the Cathedral on Antigua's central plaza,
 where colorfully dressed Mayan women hawk textiles to tourists and backpackers drink lattes on park benches.

 After tourist agencies reported cancellations Friday and Saturday, Antigua Gov. Gustavo Adolfo Parrada said the warning shook the town and spooked travelers.

 ``The craziness of a couple young guys affected everyone, and even though it was false, we have to take precautions,'' he said.

 Some American expatriates did not leave their homes for an entire day in fear of attacks, while others said they were not worried.
 
 
 
 

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