UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 RELEASE IN FULLj PTQ9892 SECRET PTQ9892 PAGE 01 BOGOTA 03463 01 OF 08 1122292 ACTION INR-00 INFO LOG-00 ACDA-10 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-00 ARA-01 ACQ-01 INL-01 OASY-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 OIGO-01 TEDE-00 ADS-DO MMP-00 SCT-00 ASDS-01 DSCC-00 DRL-09 1026W ----AEE8A9 1122292 38 R 1122272 APR 97 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5820 INFO DEA WASHDC NDIC JOHNSTOWN PA SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD FBIWASHDC DIAWASHDC CIAWASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM NSCWASHDC USIA WASHDC 2017 DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC GEO RE T SECTION 01 OF 08 BOGOTA 003463 STATE FOR INR IL ARA AND DRL INL EUR RPM MFIT2PATRICK NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS -SECREi SECRET PAGE 02 BOGOTA 03463 01 OF 08 1122292 ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEA FOR OF OFL OC AX JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDSNAN VLIET FBI FOR CID IRS IRU2 USIA FOR AR I GAR TREASURY FOR FINCEN REVIEW AUTHORITY Marvin Russell Senior Reviewer UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 E O 12958 DECL 04 11 07 TAGS PINR PHUM PTER PINS PGOV SNAR CO SUBJECT PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA C-AL7-00269 REF A STATE 58090 B 96 BOGOTA 11325 C BOGOTA 3330 D 96 BOGOTA 12093 E BOGOTA 2694 F BOGOTA 274 G 96 BOGOTA 9248 H 96 BOGOTA 12212 1 U CLASSIFIED BY POUECONOFF PEG WILLINGHAM REASON 1 5 0 ' 2 REF A REQUESTED ANSWERS TO A SERIES OF QUESTIONS REGARDING PARAMILITARY ACTIVITY IN COLOMBIA POST NOTES THAT OBTAINING SOME OF THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION SOUGHT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT MOREOVER PARAMILITARISM IN COLOMBIA IS NOT A MONOLITHIC EASILY-CATEGORIZED PHENOMENON AS REF B REPORTED PARAMILITARY PATRONS INCLUDE NARCOTRAFFICKERS LANDOWNERS CATTLE RANCHERS AND OTHERS MOTIVES FOR HIRING VIGILANTES RANGE FROM WANTING TO DEFEND ILL-GOTTEN GAINS TO FRUSTRATION AT THE GOG'S FAILURE TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY NO COMMON IDEOLOGY BINDS PARAMILITARIES TOGETHER ALTHOUGH MANY SUCH AS THE NOTORIOUS CARLOS CASTANO NADDIS 3363498 FOCUS ON COUNTERGUERRILLA ACTIVITIES s eRr - SEGRE I PAGE03 BOGOTA 03463 01 OF 08 1122292 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARAMILITARIES AND THE MILITARY 3 MANY OBSERVERS OF CONTEMPORARY COLOMBIA SUSPECT COLLABORATION BETWEEN PARAMILITARIES AND SOME ELEMENTS OF THE MILITARY IT IS OUR ASSESSMENT THAT LINKS LIKELY EXIST AT LOCAL LEVELS COMMANDERS OF INDIVIDUAL UNITS MAY AT A MINIMUM TURN A BLIND EYE TO PARAMILITARY ACTIVITY IN THEIR AREA ALLEGATIONS OF MAtERIAL COOPERATION ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO PROVE ALTHOUGH SOME MAY BE WELL-FOUNDED GIVEN THE NUMBER OF STORIES ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THE COMMONALITY OF INTERESTS THAT PARAMILITARIES AND THE MILITARY OFTEN SHARE GIVEN THE COLOMBIAN MILITARY'S PROBLEMS IN COUNTERING GUERRILLA DEPREDATIONS IT WOULD BE ILLOGICAL FOR THEM TO OPPOSE THE ANTI-GUERRILLA ACTIVITIES OF PARAMILITARIES IT IS OUR IMPRESSION THAT THE COLOMBIAN MILITARY BELIEVES THAT AS LONG AS ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH PARAMILITARIES IS ONE OF TACIT ACQUIESCENCE RATHER THAN ACTIVE SUPPORT IT IS NOT VIOLATING HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS AT THE SAME TIME MANY COLOMBIANS DISGUSTED BY GUERRILLA KIDNAPPINGS USE OF LANDMINES MURDERS OF CIVILIANS AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE DRUG TRADE MAY FEEL FEW QUALMS ABOUT PARAMILITARY ACTIONS AGAINST THE INSURGENTS MANY MEMBERS OF UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 COLOMBIA'S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ELITE ARE LANDOWNERS EVEN IF THEY DO NOT ACTUALLY PAY PARAMILITARIES TO GUARD THEIR PROPERTY AND MIGHT PUBLICLY DENOUNCE PARAMILITARISM THEY BENEFIT FROM PARAMILITARY ACTIONS AGAINST GUERRILLAS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE OVERRUN THEIR LAND 4 HIGH-LEVEL CIVILIAN AND MILITARY OFFICIALS FLATLY DENY THAT SUCH LINKS EXIST AND IN RECENT MONTHS HAVE ANNOUNCED WITH NO TANGIBLE RESULTS TO DATE A GET-TOUGH POLICY AGAINST SECRET SECRET PAGE 04 BOGOTA 03463 01 OF 08 1122292 PARAMILITARIES ON APRIL 5 PRESIDENT SAMPER ANNOUN_CED THAT THE GOG WAS COMMITTED TO COMBATTING PARAMILITARIES AND GUERRILLAS WITH EQUAL VIGOR COMMENT GIVEN THE GOG'S INEFFECTUAL PROSECUTION OF ITS WAR AGAINST THE GUERRILLAS THIS PRONOUNCEMENT PROBABLY DID NOT WORRY THE PARAMILITARIES TOO MUCH END COMMENT WE BELIEVE THAT THE COLOMBIAN MILITARY AS AN INSTITUTION DOES NOT SPONSOR PARAMILITARISM HOWEVER THE GOC HAS MADE VIRTUALLY NO EFFORT TO GO AFTER PARAMILITARIES AND HAS BEEN RELATIVELY OPEN ABOUT PAST COOPERATION MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY HAVE TOLD EMBASSY OFFICERS THAT THEY WORKED WITH SOME PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO COMBAT GUERRILLAS IN THE MAGDALENA MEDIO AREA IN THE 19808 INTERIOR MINISTER HORACIO SERPA WHILE STOUTLY DENOUNCING PARAMILITARIES AS CRIMINALS WHO MUST BE PROSECUTED ACKNOWLEDGED IN A LATE MARCH RADI INTERVIEW THAT THE MILITARY SOMETIMES COOP ERATED WITH PARAMILITARIES IN THE PAST IN PARTICULARLY CONFLICTIVE AREAS 5 #-dpt HOWEVER CONCRETE EVIDENCE OF CURRENT MILITARYPARAMILITARY LINKS IS EXTREMELY HARD TO OBTAIN IN LARGE PART BECAUSE THOSE INVOLVED PRESUMABLY VALUE SECRECY ANECDOTES AND SPECULATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE ARE RIFE AND RECENT ROAL REPORTING SECRET UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Ope No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 NNNNPTQ9895 SEORET PTQ9895 PAGE 01 BOGOTA 03463 02 OF 08 1122292 ACTION INR-00 · INFO LOG-00 ACDA-10 ACDE -00 INLB-01 AID-00 ARA-01 ACQ-01 INL-01 OASY-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 OIGO-01 TEDE-00 ADS-00 MMP-00 SCT-00 ASDS-01 DSCC-00 DRL-09 026W ----AEE8B8 1122302 38 R 1122272 APR 97 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5821 INFO DEA WASHDC NDIC JOHNSTOWN PA SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD FBIWASHDC DIAWASHDC CIAWASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM NSCWASHDC USIA WASHDC 2018 DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC g e C 5 T SECTION 02 OF 08 BOGOTA 003463 STATE FOR INR IL ARA AND DRL INL EUR RPM MFITZPATRICK NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS SECRET e6GR E F PAGE 02 BOGOTA 03463 02 OF08 1122292 ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEA FOR OF OFL OC AX JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDSNAN VLIET UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 FBI FOR CID IRS IRU2 USIA FOR AR I GAR TREASURY FOR FINCEN E O 12958 DECL 04 11 07 TAGS PINR PHUM PTER PINS PGOV SNAR CO SUBJECT PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA C-AL -00269 HAS DESCRIBED APPARENT LINKS BETWEEN FIRST DIVISION COMMANDER MAJOR GENERAL IVAN RAMIREZ AND CASTANO AS WELL AS OTHER INCIDENTS THAT SUGGEST INDIVIDUAL MILITARY MEMBERS ASSIST PARAMILITARIES THE HEAD OF THE LOCAL DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS ICRC PROTECT TOLD AN EMBASSY OFFICER APRIL 7 THAT HE BELIEVED RAMIREZ AND THE COMMANDERS OF THE FOURTEENTH BRIGADE MAGDALENA MEDIO AND SEVENTEENTH BRIGADE URABA COLONEL CARLOS ENRIQUE VARGAS FORERO AND BRIGADIER GENERAL RITO ALEJO DEL RIO ROJAS AT A MINIMUM TOLERATE AND EVEN ENCOURAGE PARAMILITARY ACTIVITY IN THEIR ZONES GENERAL DEL RIO EVEN RHETORICALLY ASKED THE ICRC WHY SHOULD I FIGHT THEM THE ICRC SAID THAT PARAMILITARY CAMPS IN URABAARE LOCATED NEAR ARMY INSTALLATIONS IN THEIR VIEW THE ARMY MUST BE AWARE OF AND UNCONCERNED BY THEIR PRESENCE THE BEST-KNOWN PARAMILITARY GROUP IN COLOMBIA ACCU AUTODEFENSAS CAMPESINAS DE CORDOBA Y URABA IS HIGHLY VISIBLE MEMBERS REPORTEDLY WEAR ACCU T-SHIRTS AND ARMBANDS AND OPERATE ROADBLOCKS IN WELL-TRAVELLED AREAS THE ICRC ALSO CITED AS AN ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE A CASE INVOLVING A MARINE UNIT IN BOLIVAR DEPARTMENT THAT ROUTINELY MANNED A CHECKPOINT BUT ABSENTED Seeffl T SECRET PAGE 03 BOGOTA 03463 02 OF 08 112229Z THEMSELVES ON THE DAY THAT A PARAMILITARY GROUP MURDERED FOURTEEN PEOPLE WHEN THE LOCAL ICRC DELEGATE RAISED THIS WITH THE UNIT'S COMMANDER THE LATTER CLAIMED THEIR SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL WAS SIMPLY A COINCIDENCE 6 I N A DECEMBER 3 1996 INTERVIEW PUBLISHED IN SEMANA MAGAZINE PARAMILITARY CHIEF RAMON ISAZA SEE PARAGRAPH 15 SAID THE MILITARY DECIDED SOME TIME AGO TO STOP PERSECUTING HIS ORGANIZATION AND LET US WORK THEY SOON SAW THAT WHAT WE HAD DONE WAS THE BEST AND THAT THERE ARE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE AUTODEF ENSAS THAT THE ARMY DOES NOT NEED TO TOUCH BECAUSE THERE ARE NO GUERRILLAS WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO THEM ISAZA ADDED THAT OF COURSE SOMETIMES THEY DO MAKE US ANGRY BECAUSE THEY DON'T LET US ENTER SOME AREAS REF C REPORTED ON CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS THAT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OFFICE IN CHARGE OF CONVIVIRS RURAL SECURITY COOPERATIVES HAS ILLEGALLY AUTHORIZED WEAPONS SALES TO SUSPECTED PARAMILITARIES AND NARCOTRAFFICKERS THE ONGOING LEGAL PROCESS AGAINST RETIRED GENERAL FAROUK YAN INE AND THE APRIL 1996 SEGOVIA MASSACRE ARETWO PROMINENT CASES DOCUMENTED IN OUR 1996 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF MILITARY-PARAMILITARY COOPERATION ACCORDING TO VARIOUS SOURCES SOME PARAMILITARIES MAY BE FORMER POLICE OR ARMY MEMBERS OR EVEN EX-GUERRILLAS IN ADDITION THERE ARE CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS THAT SOME ACTIVE-DUTY MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES MOONLIGHT AS PARAMILITARIES 7 8 'NI- EVEN IF THERE WERE NO EVIDENCE OF LINKS BETWEEN THE MILITARY AND PARAMILITARY GROUPS THE FACT THAT THE GOG RARELY PROSECUTES OR ENGAGES IN MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST PARAMILITARIES IS NOTEWORTHY SOME OBSERVERS ARGUE THAT THE CLANDESTINE NATURE OF PARAMILITARY ACTIVITIES MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE COLOMBIAN ARMY TO ENGAGE THEM MILITARILY OTHERS HOWEVER CONTEND THAT THE SeC ET SECRET PAGE 04 BOGOTA 03463 02 OF 08 1122292 COLOMBIAN MILITARY AND POLICE CANNOT HELP BUT BE AWARE OF PARAMILITARY ACTIVITY IN THEIR AREAS AND DELIBERATELY TURN A BLIND EYE TO ATROCITIES A COLOMBIAN ACADEMIC TOLD POLOFF APRIL4 THAT THE FACT THAT MEMBERS OF CARLOS CASTANO'S ACCU CAN REPEATEDLY TRAVEL FROM CORDOBA DEPARTMENT TO SOUTHERN CESAR DEPARTMENT COMMIT MASSACRES AND RETURN HOME WITH IMPUNITY STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT THE ARMY AND POLICE ALLOW THEM TO DO SO 8 S NF IN A CONVERSATION APRIL 2 WITH POST HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER AFRO-COLOMBIAN COMMUNITY LEADER VICENTE MURRAIN PROTECT OF CHOCO DEPARTMENT DESCRIBED HOW 50 PARAMILITARIES ARMED WITH UZI SUBMACHINE GUNS ENTERED THE TOWN OF ANDAGOYA MARCH 27 MURRAIN AND SOME TOWNSPEOPLE CONFRONTED THE PARAMILITARIES WHO SAID THEY WERE LOOKING FOR GUERRILLAS ALTHOUGH THE GROUP ULTl MATELY LEFT ANDAGOYA WITHOUT HARMING ANYONE IT PASSED ON TO THE TOWN OF ISTMINA WHERE ITS MEMBERS MURDERED A TOWN COUNCILMAN AND THE TOWN COUNCIL PRESIDENT MURRAIN SAID THERE WAS NO WAY A GROUP THAT SIZE COULD HAVE TRAVELED TO ANDAGOYA WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOVERNMENT FORCES OFFICIALS INVESTIGATING SUCH CASES AT BOTH THE FISCALIA PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND THE PROCURADURIA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 NNNNPTQ9898 SEGRET PTQ9898 PAGE 01 BOGOTA 03463 03 OF 08 1122302 ACTION INR-00 INFO LOG-DO ACDA-10 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-OD ARA-01 ACQ-01 INL-01 OASY-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 OIGO-01 TEDE-00 ADS-DO MMP-00 SCT-00 ASDS-01 DSCC 00 DRL-09 026W ----AEE8C3 1122302 38 R 1122272 APR 97 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5822 INFO DEA WASHDC NDIC JOHNSTOWN PA SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD FBIWASHDC DIAWASHDC CIAWASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM NSCWASHDC USIA WASHDC 2019 DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC G E 6 R ET SECTION 03 OF 08 BOGOTA 003463 STATE FOR INR IL ARA AND DRL INL EUR RPM MFIT2PATRICK NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS SEGRE - 8EGRET PAGE 02 BOGOTA 03463 03 OF 08 1122302 ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEA FOR OF OFL OC AX JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDSNAN VLIET FBI FOR CID IRS IRU2 USIA FOR AR I GAR TREASURY FOR FINCEN E O 12958 DECL 04 11 07 TAGS PINR PHUM PTER PINS PGOV SNAR CO SUBJECT PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA C-AL7-00269 · OFFICE HAVE DESCRIBED SUCH INCIDENTS AS TYPICAL STATING THEIR BELIEF THAT THE PARAMILITARIES AT A MINIMUM MOVE ABOUT SOME REGIONS AREAS WITH LITTLE OR NO INTERFERENCE BY GOVERNMENT PARTICULARLY ARMY FORCES SOURCES AT BOTH THE Fl SCALIA AND THE PROCURADURIA CHARACTERIZE THE ARMY AS FAILING TO ASSIST AND IN SOME CASES OBSTRUCTING INVESTIGATIONS OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING PARAMILITARY FORCES 9 THE GOVERNMENT CLEARLY LACKS THE WILL TO ENFORCE ITS OWN LAWS IN THE CASE OF CASTANO SUBJECT OF OUTSTANDING ARREST WARRANTS FOR MURDER AND FOR WHOSE CAPTURE FORMER MOD ESGUERRA RESPONDING TO PRESSURE FROM HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS OFFERED A MILLION DOLLAR REWARD IN DECEMBER 1996 SEE REF H EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE DEFENSE MINISTER WHO ANNOUNCED THE REWARD MILITARY FORCES COMMANDER GENERAL HAROLD BEDOYA HAS DEMONSTRATED NO INTEREST IN PURSUING CASTANO PRESUMABLY SENSING THAT HE HAS NO REASON TO FEAR A HIGH PROFILE CASTANO WAS RECENTLY INTERVIEWED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES AND OTHER MEDIA IN ADDITION TO JOURNALISTS VIRTUALLY ANYONE WHO WANTS TO INCLUDING NGOS AND GOC OFFICIALS UP TO THE sECRf T SEORE'f PAGE 03 BOGOTA 03463 03 OF08 1122302 RANK OF VICE MINISTER VISITS CASTANO IN CORDOBA DEPARTMENT ACCORDING TO THE ICRC NO ATTEMPTS HAVE BEE N MADE TO PLACE HIM UNDER ARREST 10 ff rr THE EMBASSY RECENTLY OBTAINED A COPY OF A PART OF A DOCUMENT PURPORTING TO BE A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE NOVEMBER 1996 THIRD NATIONAL SUMMIT OF THE SELF-DEFENSE AUTODEFENSAS MOVEMENT OF COLOMBIA THE DOCUMENT DECLARED THAT THE SUMMIT'S PURPOSE WAS TO ANALYZE THE GUERRILLA SITUATION AND FORMULATE STRATEGIC PLANS FOR DEALING WITH IT RELEVANT ASPECTS OF THE REPORT WILL BE DISCUSSED BELOW IN THE SECTIONS RESPONDING TO OTHER QUESTIONS IN REF A REGARDING LINKS WITH THE MILITARY THE SUMMIT DOCUMENT IS FAIRLY CLEAR THE PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES IN OUR OPERATIONS HAS BECOME A HEADACHE IT SUFFICES TO REMEMBER THE CASE OF GENERAL FAROUK YAN INE DIAZ AND CAPTAIN NESTOR CANAS IN SEGOVIA FROM NOW ON WE SHOULD WAGE THE WAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 OPERATIONAL CAPACITY OF EACH REGIONAL GROUP THE DOCUMENT ALSO STATES THAT ''THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL NOW HAS SHOWN A GOOD DISPOSITION TO RESPECT US AND OPEN WAYS TO UNDERSTANDING A COLOMBIAN ACADEMIC TOLD POLOFF THAT THIS GROWING AUTONOMY DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN BREAKING WITH THE MILITARY ALTOGETHER HOWEVER IN HIS VIEW PARAMILITARIES STILL BENEFIT FROM WORKING WITH THE MILITARY AND VICE VERSA 11 COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES DELEGATES ON THE PUTUMAYO COMMITTEE TO MONITOR GOG COMPLIANCE WITH ACCORDS SIGNED TO END THE 1996 COCA GROWERS' PROTEST FROM PUTUMAYO TOLD EMBOFFS APRIL 2 THEY BELIEVED THE RETURN OF PARAMILITARY FORCES TO THE REGION SINCE 1994 IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THIS LARGER STRATEGY AS DECLARED IN THE PARAMILITARY MANIFESTOS AND DID NOT SUGGEST SIGNIFICANT MILITARY INVOLVEMENT gccREF SEORE f PAGE04 BOGOTA 03463 03 OF 08 1122302 PARAMILITARIES AS SURROGATES 12 -ESfNF REF A ASKED IF THE MILITARY IS USING PARAMILITARIES AS SURROGATES TO DO THINGS THEY CANNOT DO BECAUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONSTRICTIONS THE ABOVE-MENTIONED PARAMILITARY SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE STATED THAT THE OPERATIVE INCAPACITY OF THE ARMED FORCES DUE TO THE PRESSURE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISMS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE PROCURADURIA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND FISCALIA PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE PLACES US IN THE VANGUARD OF THE FIGHT THE DOCUMENT ALSO SAYS IT IS DIFFICULT TO RELY ON ANY MILITARY COMMAND SOME AVOID GETTING CLOSE TO US FOR FEAR OF THE PROCURADURIA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND OTHERS SIMPLY WANT TO USE US SINCE IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT WE ARE THE ONES IN THE END WHO THROW OURSELVES INTO COMBAT AND IN A GOOD PART OF THE ANTIGUERRILLA OPERATIONS IN HIS DECEMBER SEMANA INTERVIEW RAMON ISAZA CRITICIZED HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRYING TO GET THE ARMY TO STOP COLLABORATING WITH US AND ON THE CONTRARY PERSECUTE UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 SEOR ET NNNNPTQ9899 SEGR i PTQ9899 PAGE 01 BOGOTA 03463 04 OF 08 112230Z ACTION INR-00 INFO LOG-00 ACDA-10 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-00 ARA-01 ACQ-01 INL-01 OASY-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 OIGO-01 TEDE-00 ADS-00 MMP-00 SCT-00 ASDS-01 DSCC-00 DRL-09 026W ----AEE8C8 112230Z 38 R 112227Z APR 97 FM AM EMBASSY BOG OTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5823 INFO DEA WASHDC NDIC JOHNSTOWN PA SECDEF WASHDCI OCDEPS DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD FBIWASHDC DIAWASHDC CIAWASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM NSCWASHDC USIA WASHDC 2020 DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC S I CR ET SECTION 04 OF 08 BOGOTA 003463 STATE FOR INR IL ARA AND DRL INL EUR RPM MFITZPATRICK NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS SECRET UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 PAGE 02 BOGOTA 03463 04 OF 08 1122302 ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEA FOR OF OFL OC AX JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDSNAN VLIET FBI FOR CID IRS IRU2 USIA FOR AR I GAR TREASURY FOR FINCEN E O 12958 DECL 04 11 07 TAGS PINR PHUM PTER PINS PGOV SNAR CO SUBJECT PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA C-AL -00269 US BUT THANK GOD UP TO NOW THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED HOWEVER HE SAID TODAY IFTHE ARMY WANTS TO DO THINGS IT CAN'T BECAUSE IT IS HANDCUFFED BY HUMAN RIGHTS 13 l lF WHILE THIS IS SUGGESTIVE THE QUESTION POSED IN REF A IMPLIES A LEVEL OF CONTROL BY THE MILITARY THAT IN FACT PROBAl 3LY DOES NOT EXIST SEPARATE PARAMILITARY GROUPS HAVE DIVERSE AGENDAS SOME OF WHICH COINCIDE WITH THE MILITARY'S AND SOME WHICH DO NOT PARAMILITARIES LIKE CARLOS CASTANO APPEAR TO HAVE OUTGROWN THE MILITARY AND ACT WITH INCREASING INDEPENDENCE THE ICRC REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT CASTANO IS DISGUSTED WITH THE ARMY'S LACK OF GRATITUDE FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS ON ITS BEHALF CASTANO EVEN ACCUSED THE MILITARY OF KILLING SOME MEMBERS OF ACCU TO SILENCE THEM 14 HOWEVER THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT PARAMILITARIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN INCREASING NUMBER OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AS DOCUMENTED BY OUR 1996 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT AND OTHER SOURCES FOR EXAMPLE A RECENT S RVEY OF DISPLACED PERSONS IN COLOMBIA SHOWED EOR eT SECRET PAGE 03 BOGOTA 03463 04 OF 08 1122302 THAT 35 PERCENT FLED PARAMILITARY VIOLENCE 29 PERCENT GUERRILLAS AND 14 PERCENT THE ARMY THE MILITARY'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD IS MORE CLOSELY SCRUTINIZED THAN THAT OF PARAMILITARIES WHO CAN OPERATE MORE FREELY FURTHERMORE WHILE THE MILITARY ENGAGES THE GUERRILLAS IN DIRECT CONFRONTATION PARAMILITARIES TARGET GUERRILLA FAMILY MEMBERS SUPPORTERS AND OTHERS FOR INTIMIDATION AND MURDER ATTACKING GUERRILLAS' VULNERABILITIES AND FORCING THEM TO WATCH THEIR BACKS AT ALL TIMES HOWEVER ACCORDING TO THE ICRC CASTANO HAS COMPLAINED THAT EVEN HE HAS FELT COMPELLED TO COMMIT FEWER ABUSES BECAUSE OF INCREASING SCRUTINY BY NGOS THE GOG'S HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN AND THE ICRC FOR THEIR PART NGOS LIKE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ARE CONVINCED THAT THE MILITARY IS INDEED LEAVING ITS DIRTY WORK TO THE PARAMILITARIES UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 15 --tSrMr r REF A SOUGHT BASIC DATA ON PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE NORTHWESTERN COLOMBIA ACCORDING TO THE ICRC CARLOS CASTANO'S ACCU SENDS LOCAL COMMANDERS TO CESAR SUCRE AND BOLIVAR DEPARTMENTS TO ADVISE OTHER PARAMILITARY GROUPS HOWEVER HE APPARENTLY DOES NOT COMPLETELY CONTROL THESE OTHER GROUPS AND DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR ABUSES THEY COMMIT ALTHOUGH HE FREELY ADMITS TO THE ICRC THAT ACCU COMMITS MURDER AND OTHER CRIMES AS FOR NUMBERS IT IS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO CALCULATE WITH ACCURACY HOW MANY PARAMILITARIES OPERATE IN COLOMBIA THAN IT IS TO ESTIMATE GUERRILLA NUMBERS REF D REPORTED THE POLICE INTELLIGENCE CHIEF'S ESTIMATE OF 4 000 - 6 000 WE CANNOT COME UP WITH A MORE SPECIFIC FIGURE THE ICRC BELIEVES MOST PARAMILITARY MEMBERS ARE INVOLVED ON A PART-TIME BASIS ALTHOUGH CASTANO CLAIMS THAT HE CONTROLS 2 000 MEN THE ICRC ESTIMATES THAT ONLY A FEW HUNDRED ARE FULL-TIME PARAMILITARIES THE ICRC IS IN CONTACT WITH SEVERAL PARAMILITARY GROUPS AROUND THE COUNTRY PRINCIPALLY CASTANO AND HIS REGIONAL COMMANDERS EMERALD MAGNATE AND SUSPECTED NARCOTRAFFICKER VICTOR OEORE f SEGRET PAGE 04 BOGOTA 03463 04 OF 08 1122302 CARRANZA AND MAGDALENA MEDIO WARLORD RAMON ISAZA THE FOLLOWING LIST IS BASED ON A DOCUMENT PROVIDED ON A CONFIDENTIAL BASIS APRIL 7 BY THE ICRC ACCU LEADERS CASTANO SERGIO ALSO ALIAS DOUBLE ZERO MILLTARY COMMANDER OF THE URABA ZONE MONO-MANOLO ALSO ALIAS TRIPLE ZERO ACCU COORDINATOR FOR THE CARIBBEAN COAST EXCEPT FOR URABA EL CHIVO PEDRO MILITARY COMMANDER FRONTINO AN AND SANTIAGO TOBON COMMANDER FOR CESAR DEPARTMENT AND ACCU COORDINATOR FOR CESAR AND MAGDALENA DEPARTMENTS NOTE THE ICRC TOLD POLOFF THAT TRIPLE ZERO WAS RECENTLY ARRESTED END NOTE VICTOR CARRANZA'S ORGANIZATION ASIDE FROM CARRANZA THE ICRC LISTED GUILLERMO TORRES ALIAS SESTAN OR DON GUILLERMO AND CARLOS CASTILLO THEIR AREAS OF OPERATION ARE LISTED AS PUERTO LOPEZ PUERTO GAITAN EL PORVENIR RIO TILLAVA EL DORADO CUMARAL ARIARI VILLAVICENCIO ACACIAS AND GUAMAL META DEPARTMENT AND MEDINA AND PARATEBUENO IN CUNDINAMARCA DEPARTMENT AUTODEFENSAS DE MEDIO MAGDALENA AFTER CASTANO AND CARRANZA THIS UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 SECRET NNNNPTQ9901 PTQ9901 PAGE 01 BOGOTA 03463 05 OF 08 112230Z ACTION INR-00 INFO LOG-DO ACDA-10 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-DO ARA-01 ACQ-01 INL-01 OASY-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-OD EUR-01 OIGO-01 TEDE-00 ADS-DO MMP-00 SCT-00 ASDS-01 DSCC-00 DRL-09 026W ----AEE8D8 112231Z 38 R 112227Z APR 97 FM AM EMBASSY BOG OTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5824 INFO DEA WASHDC NDIC JOHNSTOWN PA SECDEF WASHDCI OCDEPSI DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD FBIWASHDC DIAWASHDC CIAWASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM NSCWASHDC USIA WASHDC 2021 DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC S IE C R E rSECTION 05 OF 08 BOGOTA 003463 STATE FOR INR IL ARA AND DRL INL EUR RPM MFITZPATRICK NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS SECRET UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 gccRrr PAGE 02 BOGOTA 03463 05 OF 08 112230Z ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEA FOR OF OFL OC AX _ JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDSNAN VLIET FBI FOR CID IRS IRU2 USIA FOR AR I GAR TREASURY FOR FINCEN E O 12958 DECL 04 11 07 TAGS PINR PHUM PTER PINS PGOV SNAR CO SUBJECT PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA C-AL7-00269 GROUP'S LEADER RAMON ISAZA DOB 30 NOVEMBER 1941 NADDIS 2070799 IS THE BEST KNOWN PARAMILITARY LEADER IN COLOMBIA BOTH THE ICRC AND THE PARAMILITARY SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE SUGGEST THAT HE AND CASTANO ARE RIVALS THE LATTER DOCUMENT WITHOUT NAMING ISAZA STATES THAT THE MAGDALENA GROUP SHOULD STOP CONTACTS WITH GUERRILLAS GIVE UP PLANS TO NEGOTIATE ITS DEMOBILIZATION AND ACCEPT THE COMMAND OF CARLOS CASTANO THE ICRC REPRESENTATIVE WHO CHARACTERIZED ISAZA AS CRAZV TOLD POLOFF THAT CASTANO HAD TOLD HIM HE WAS ANGRY WITH HIS RIVAL AND WANTED TO BRING HIM UNDER CONTROL HE IS SUSPECTED OF LINKS TO THE NARCOTRAFFICKING GAITAN FAMILY LA MENCEN TA GROUP COMMANDED BY ALIEN BATALAN THIS APPARENTLY SMALL GROUP OPERATES IN PUERTO BOYACA BOYACA DEPARTMENT IN THE MAGDALENA MEDIO REGION RODRIGUEZ GACHA GROUP ALJHOUGH THIS NARCOTRAFFICKER HAS BEEN DEAD FOR YEARS THE ICRC SAYS THE PARAMILITARY GROUP HE FOUNDED STILL EXISTS AND COOPERATES WITH CARRANZA IT OPERATES IN SAN MARTIN SOUTHERN CESAR DEPARTMENT AND GRANADA ANTIOQUIA SeCRE'f ECRE 'f PAGE 03 BOGOTA 03463 05 OF 08 112230Z DEPARTMENT AUTODEFENSAS DEL BAJO RIONEGRO COMMANDED BY CAMILO NFI THIS APPARENTLY SMALL GROUP OPERATES IN SAN RAFAEL DE LEBRIJAAND SABANA DE TORRES IN SANTANDER DEPARTMENT ACCORDING TO THE ICRC AUTODEFENSAS CAMPESINAS DEL CESAR ACCORDING TO THE ICRC THIS GROUP IS A SUBSIDIARY OF CASTANO'S ACCU AND IS LED BY LUIS EDUARDO RESTREPO AND ALFONSO MACIA IT OPERATES IN SOUTHERN CESAR DEPARTMENT AND EL COPEY NORTHWESTERN CESAR UNCLASSIFIED U S Dep rtment of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 AUTODEFENSAS DE VALENCIA THE ONLY INFORMATION ICRC HAD WAS THAT THIS GROUP IS COMMANDED BY SOMEONE NAMED OSCAR AND OPERATES IN VALENCIA CORDOBA DEPARTMENT PRESUMABLY LINKED TO CASTANO AUTODEFENSAS DE SUCRE ACCORDING TO THE ICRC THIS GROUP IS COMMANDED BY JAVIER PIEDRADITA AND OPERATES IN TOLUVIEJO SUCRE DEPARTMENT AND ELSEWHERE IN SUCRE THE ICRC BELIEVES THIS GROUP MAY BE A SUBSIDIARY OF CASTANO'S ACCU 16 THE ICRC ALSO LISTED AUTODEFENSAS CAMPESINAS DE ANTIOQUIA AND AUTODEFENSAS CAMPESINAS DE ARAUCA BUT HAD NO FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THEM THE ICRC REPRESENTATIVE TOLD POLOFF APRIL 7 THAT THE ICRC ALSO BELIEVES THAT SEVERAL CONVIVIRS LEGALLY-ESTABLISHED RURAL SECURITY COOPERATIVES ARE IN EFFECT PARAMILITARIES GROUPS OPERATING IN EL DIFICIL PLATO AND SANTA ANA IN MAGDALENA DEPARTMENT LED BY EL CHOPE BARRERA A GROUP OPERATING IN PUERTO LOPEZ META DEPARTMENT LED BY JUAN DE JESUS PIMIENTO A GROUP OPERATING IN PUERTO GAITAN META LED BY DON GUILLERMO PRESUMABLY THE SAME DON GUILLERMO LISTED ABOVE AS WORKING WITH VICTOR CARRANZA A GROUP OPERATING IN SAN MARTIN SECRET PAGE 04 BOGOTA 03463 05 OF 08 1122302 CESAR DEPARTMENT LED BY ANOUAS SALEMON CARTRA AND A GROUP OPERATING IN SAN ROQUE ANTIOQUIA DEPARTMENT LED BY DARWIN AN ICRC DELEGATE WAS RECENTLY EXPELLED FROM A TOWN IN ANTIOQUIA BY A GROUP OF MEN WEARING SKI MASKS AND MILITARY UNIFORMS WITH CONVIVIR LABELS ON THEIR POCKETS THE DELEGATE A FORMER OFFICER IN THE SWISS ARMY TOLD THE CHIEF OF THE ICRC DELEGATION THAT THE MEN SEEMED PROFESSIONAL POSSIBLY WITH MILITARY EXPERIENCE 17 S lf ACCORDING TO SEVERAL SOURCES INCLUDING COLOMBIAN NGO CINEP CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y EDUCACION POPULAR A GROUP KNOWN AS LOS MASETOS IS THE MOST PROMINENT PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATION IN PUTUMAYO DEPARTMENT MASETO IS ALSO A TERM FREQUENTLY APPLIED TO ANY PARAMILITARY MEMBER DERIVED FROM MAS MUERTE A SECUESTRADORES A GROUP FORMED IN THE EARLY 1980S BY MEDELLIN CARTEL MEMBERS TO EXACT REVENGE ON KIDNAPPERS AND RIVAl S LOS MASETEROS WERE SPONSORED BY THE NARCOTRAFFICKING OCHOA BROTHERS AND CONTINUED TO OPERATE IN THE MAGDALENA MEDIO AND ELSEWHERE AFTER THE OCHOA BROTHERS WERE ARRESTED UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 Sl CFtEI NNNNPTQ9905 SECRET PTQ9905 PAGE 01 BOGOTA 03463 06 OF 08 1122312 ACTION INR-00 INFO LOG-DO ACDA-10 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-DO ARA-01 ACQ-01 INL-01 OASY-00 SRPP oo DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 OIGO-01 TEDE-00 ADS-DO MMP-00 SCT-00 ASDS-01 DSCC-00 DRL-09 026W ----AEE8E3 1122312 38 R 1122272 APR 97 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5825 INFO DEA WASHDC NDIC JOHNSTOWN PA SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD FBIWASHDC DIAWASHDC CIAWASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC USCINCSO QUARRY HEJGHTS PM NSCWASHDC USIA WASHDC 2022 DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC g CR ET SECTION 06 OF 08 BOGOTA 003463 STATE FOR INR IL ARA AND DRL INL EUR RPM MFIT2PATRICK NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS 8EGREF UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State- Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc N·o C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 OEGRET PAGE 02 BOGOTA 03463 06 OF 08 1122312 ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEA FOR OF OFL OC AX JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDSNAN VLIET FBI FOR CID IRS IRU2 USIA FOR AR I GAR TREASURY FOR FINCEN E O 12958 DECL 04 11 07 TAGS PINR PHUM PTER PINS PGOV SNAR CO SUBJECT PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA C-AL -00269 18 amF THE PARAMILITARY SUMMIT DOCUMENT DESCRIBES SUCCESSFUL ANTI-GUERRILLA WORK IN CORDOBA URABA SOUTHERN CESAR META AND MAGDALENA MEDIO IN THOSE ZONES WE HAVE SNATCHED AWAY FROM THE ENEMY THE AFFECTION OF THE POPULATION AND HAVE MANAGED TO DELIVER IMPORTANT MILITARY BLOWS THE REPORT PROPOSES RECONQUERING THE FOLLOWING AREAS COFFEE COUNTRY PRESUMABLY ANTIOQUIA RISARALDA AND CALDAS DEPARTMENTS NORTHERN VALLE DEPARTMENT THE NORTHWEST OF ANTIOQUIA LA GUAJIRA DEPARTMENT NORTHERN CESAR DEPARTMENT CASANARE DEPARTMENT THE LOWER MAGDALENA AREA PUTUMAYO DEPARTMENT NORTHWEST TOUMA DEPARTMENT AND THE EASTERN PLAINS IN GENERAL 19 THE DOCUMENT SAYS IT IS A PRIORITY TO INTENSIFY INTELLIGENCE WORK IN URBAN ZONES LIKE CIUDAD BOLIVAR BOSA AND SAN CRISTOBAL NEIGHBORHOODS IN BOGOTA MORAVIA AND ARANJUEZ IN MEDELLIN THE DISTRICT OF AGUA BLANCA AND EL LIMONAR IN CALI CRESPO IN CARTAGENA THE SOUTHEAST OF BARRANQUILLA AND IBAGUE CAPITAL OF TOUMA DEPARTMENT BARRANCABERMEJA IS A PRIORITY JOB BECAUSE THE SUBVERSION HAS RECONQUERED ZONES THAT WERE ALREADY FREE FROM THIS SCOURGE ALSO PEREIRA CAPITAL OF RISARALDA DEPARTMENT se cger SCORE PAGE 03 BOGOTA 03463 06 OF 08 1122312 E SENTIALLY THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF CUBA AND THE ZONES IN CALDAS DEPARTMENT BORDERING ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MIEL HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT ANOTHER PRIORITY IS PUTUMAYO DEPARTMENT IT IS URGENT TO DEPLOY MEN AND RESOURCES FOR THIS MISSION IT IS THERE THAT THE SUBVERSION HAS MANAGED TO CREATE A PARALLEL GOVERNMENT THAT IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS FOR THE NATION WE ALSO CANNOT FAIL TO TAKE EQUAL CARE OF THE ZONES OF INFLUENCE OF THE 22ND AND UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 41ST FRONTS OF THE FARC IN CUNDINAMARCA DEPARTMENT 20 U THE MARCH 31 EDITION OF SEMANA MAGAZINE REPORTED THAT THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS ARE SUFFERING FROM THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN GUERRILLAS AND PARAMILITARIES ANTIOQUIA ESPECIALLY URABA CESAR SUCRE ARAUCA CASANARE CAQUETA BOTH SANTANDERS BOYACA CAUCA NARINO AND COFFEE COUNTRY ALEJANDRO REYES NATIONAL UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND EXPERT ON GUERRILLAS AND PARAMILITARIES IS QUOTED AS SAYING COLOMBIA CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS WITH PARAMILITARIES RULING THE NORTHWEST AND GUERRILLAS THE SOUTHEAST HE PREDICTED THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE IN AREAS WHERE THESE TWO AREAS CONVERGE THE SIERRA NEVADA DE SANTA MARTA MOUNTAINS AND ENVIRONS SOUTHERN CESAR DEPARTMENT BARRANCABERMEJA THE NORTHEAST OF ANTIOQUIA VALLE DE CAUCA CUNDINAMARCA AND META ACCORDING TO SEMANA THE GOG'S PEACE COMMISSION CALCULATES THAT PARAMILITARIES ARE PRESENT IN 450 OF THE COUNTRY'S MORE THAN 1ODO MUNICIPALITIES BY CONTRAST GUERRILLAS ARE THOUGHT TO BE PRESENT IN OVER HALF OF THE MUNICIPALITIES INCLUDING WIDE SWATHS OF TERRITORY THAT ARE ONLY SEMI-POPULATED WHERE THE TWO GROUPS OVERLAP BLOOD FLOWS 21 - a 'Ft REF A ASKS UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES PARAMILITARY GROUPS ARE MOST LIKELY TO FLOURISH AREAS WHERE GUERRILLAS ARE ACTIVE ARE LIKELY TO ATTRACT PARAMILITARIES ALTHOUGH THE PRESENCE ECR E 'f PAGE 04 BOGOTA 03463 06 OF 08 1122312 OF LARGE LANDHOLDINGS PARTICULARLY THOSE OWNED BY NARCOTRAFFICKERS SEEMS TO BE THE STRONGEST INDICATOR OF PARAMILITARISM RELATIVELY STRONG ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SUCH AS CATTLE RANCHING OR OIL PRODUCTION ALSO SEEMS TO BE A MAGNET FOR BOTH GUERRILLAS AND PARAMILITARIES POOR SPARSELY POPULATED DEPARTMENTS LIKE GUAVIARE CAQUETA VICHADA GUAINIA VAUPES AND AMAZONAS ARE VIRTUALLY NEVER MENTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH PARAMILITARISM 22 Stl' lf REF A ASKS HOW PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATIONS OPERATE AND WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT THEY RECEIVE THE SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE SAYS THE AUTODEFENSAS MOVEMENT REMAINS ON THE MARGIN OF THE LAW AND OF POLITICS EVEN THOUGH MANY OF OUR COLLABORATORS MANAGERS GESTORES HELPERS FINANCIERS AND GUIDES ORIENTADORES FORM A PART OF THE POLITICAL CLASS AGITADO QUEHACER POLITICO AS NOTED IN PARAGRAPH 2 A VARIETY OF PEOPLE SPONSOR PARAMILITARIES NARCOTRAFFICKERS LANDOWNERS CATTLE RANCHERS AND BUSINESSPEOPLE BY DEFINITION PARAMILITARIES ARE HIRED GUNS WHO SERVE ANY MASTER WILLING TO PAY THEM AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR PATRONS IS ONE OF MUTUAL SELF-INTEREST CARLOS CASTANO BY MOST ACCOUNTS HAS UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 NNNNPTQ9907 SECRE'f PTQ9907 PAGE 01 BOGOTA 03463 07 OF 08 112231Z ACTION INR-00 INFO LOG-00 ACDA-10 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-00 ARA-01 ACQ-01 INL-01 OASY-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 OIGO-01 TEDE-00 ADS-00 MMP-00 SCT-00 ASDS-01 DSCC-00 DRL-09 026W ----AEE8EE 112231Z 38 R 112227Z APR 97 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5826 INFO DEA WASHDC NDIC JOHNSTOWN PA SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD FBIWASHDC DIAWASHDC CIAWASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM NSCWASHDC USIA WASHDC 2023 DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC g EC RE 'f SECTION 07 OF 08 BOGOTA 003463 STATE FOR INR IL ARA AND DRL INL EUR RPM MFITZPATRICK UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 pate 10 31 2018 NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS SECRET SECREI PAGE 02 BOGOTA 03463 07 OF 08 112231Z ONDCP FOR JANET 9RIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEA FOR OF OFL OC AX JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDSNAN VLIET FBI FOR CID IRS IRU2 USIA FOR AR I GAR TREASURY FOR FINCEN E O 12958 DECL 04 11 07 TAGS PINR PHUM PTER PINS PGOV SNAR CO SUBJECT PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA C-AL7-00269 A CERTAIN CHARISMA AND MAY COMMAND PERSONAL LOYALTY BUT IN GENERAL PARAMILITARIES EVEN THOSE MOTIVATED BY HATRED OF THE GUERRILLAS ARE MERCENARIES 23 ADDITION TO PROTECTING THEIR EMPLOYERS AND TARGETING SUSPECTED GUERRILLA SYMPATHIZERS PARAMILITARIES HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF INTIMIDATING AND KILLING PEOPLE INVOLVED IN LAND DISPUTES SUCH AS THE HACIENDA BELLACRUZ CASE INTERESTINGLY CARLOS CASTANO TOLD THE ICRC HE WANTED TO KILL THE LEADER OF THE PARAMILITARY GROUP BELIEVED RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HACIENDA BELl ACRUZ ABUSES 24 IT IS DIFFICULT TO STATE WITH ACCURACY WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT PARAMILITARIES RECEIVE IN TERMS OF MONEY TRAINING AND ARMS SEVERAL SOURCES SAY THAT PARAMILITARIES LIKE GUERRILLAS DEMAND PROTECTION MONEY FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS NARCO MONEY IS ANOTHER LIKELY RESOURCE SEE REF C ACCORDING TO THE ICRC ACCU EARNS MONEY FROM LAND AND INVESTMENTS AND CASTANO DENIES INVOLVEMENT IN THE DRUG TRADE BUT CLAIMS HE MAY BE FORCED INTO SECRET SECRET PAGE 03 BOGOTA 03463 07 OF 08 1122312 DRUG CULTIVATION BECAUSE HE IS RUNNING SHORT ON CASH THE ICRC ALSO BELIEVES THAT PARAMILITARIES OPERATING NEAR THE PANAMA BORDER EXTORT PAYMENTS FROM SMUGGLERS OF VARIOUS KINDS OF CONTRABAND INCLUDING DRUGS AND WEAPONS THE MANAGER OF VICTOR CARRANZA'S UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 MINING COMPANY TECMINAS TOLD THE ICRC THAT THE COMPANY PAYS PEOPLE TO PROTECT THE BUSINESS BUT THE ICRC BELIEVES CARRANZA IS USING LEGALLY AUTHORIZED PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS AS A DE FACTO PARAMILITARY FORCE 25 AN IMPORTANT COMPLICATING FACTOR IS THAT NARCOTRAFFICKERS FINANCE BOTH PARAMILITARIES AND GUERRILLAS DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCES GEOGRAPHY AND CONVENIENCE WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS PHENOMENON CLOSELY ITS COMPLEXITY IS · ILLUSTRATED BY THE EXAMPLE OF NORTH VALLE NARCO TRAFFICKER DIEGO MONTOYA SANCHEZ NADDIS 2887488 ACCORDING TO A RECENT WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE MONTOYA IS THEPATRON OFA PARAMILITARY GROUP POLOFF CHECKED WITH DEA AT POST REGARDING THIS ALLEGATION AND LEARNED THAT WHILE WE HAVE NO CONCRETE INFORMATION REGARDING A LINK TO KNOWN PARAMILITARIES MONTOYA ALLEGEDLY HAS A FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COLOMBIAN MILITARY GUERRILLAS AND A PRIVATE GUARD FORCE -- POSSIBLY A EUPHEMISM FOR PARAMILITARIES 26 IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT THE MILITARY WOULD PROVIDE CASH SINCE MOST UNITS IN THE FIELD ARE THEMSELVES POORLY SUPPLIED HOWEVER THE ICRC HAS HEARD ALLEGATIONS THAT PARAMILITARIES FINANCED BY VICTOR CARRANZA HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING ON ARMY BASES IN META QEPARTMENT WE HAVE NO OTHER INFORMATION TO SUGGEST THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PHENOMENON FOR THEIR PART PARAMILITARY WARLORDS DO NOT SEEM TO PROVIDE MUCH TRAINING TO THEIR FOLLOWERS RELYING MORE ON RECRUITING INDIVIDUALS WITH PREVIOUS MILITARY POSSIBLY INCLUDING GUERRILLA OR POLICE EXPERIENCE GIVEN THAT 6 000 SEGRE'f PAGE 04 BOGOTA 03463 07 OF 08 1122312 MEMBERS OF THE POLICE HAVE BEEN FIRED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS FOR CORRUPTION AND OTHER CRIMES IT IS LIKELY THAT AT LEAST SOME OF THEM HAVE USED THEIR SKILLS TO JOIN THE RANKS OF PARAMILITARIES 27 SfPJF REF A ASKED IF A CORRELATION EXISTS BETWEEN THE IDENTITY OF SUPPORTERS AND THE TACTICS USED BY PARAMILITARIES PARAMILITARISM APPEARS TO BE MUCH MORE REGIONAL THAN THE GUERRILLA MOVEMENT AND SEEMS TO VARY FROM PLACE TO PLACE THE PARAMILITARIES THAT FLOURISH IN URABA SEEM MORE PROFESSIONAL OR SPECIALIZED IF SUCH A TERM CAN BE APPLIED TO INTIMIDATION AND MURDER THAN OTHER SMALLER GROUPS AROUND THE COUNTRY WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SIGNIFICANT CORRELATION BETWEEN THE IDENTITY OF SUPPORTERS AND THE KIND OF TACTICS EMPLOYED BUT AS REF E REPORTED TACTICS MAY VARY FROM REGION TO REGION WITH MASSACRES OCCURRING IN URABA BUT MORE SELECTIVE MURDERS TAKING PLACE IN CASANARE IN ADDITION TO MURDER KIDNAPPING AND SCARING THOUSANDS OF PEASANTS INTO FLEEING THEIR HOMES PARAMILITARIES HAVE ALSO BEEN ACCUSED OF SOCIAL CLEANSING KILLING PETTY CRIMINALS AND OTHER UNDESIRABLES IN THEIR AREAS OF INFLUENCE UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 £ECREr NNNNPTQ9908 SEGRET PTQ9908 PAGE 01 ffOGOTA 03463 08 OF 08 112232Z ACTION INR-00 INFO LOG-00 ACDA-10 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-00 ARA-01 ACQ-01 INL-01 OASY-00 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 EUR-01 OIGO-01 TEDE-00 ADS-00 MMP-00 SCT-00 ASDS-01 DSCC-00 DRL-09 026W ----AEE8F1 112232Z 38 R 112227Z APR 97 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5827 INFO DEA WASHDC NDIC JOHNSTOWN PA SECDEF WASHDC OCDEPS DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD FBIWASHDC DIAWASHDC CIAWASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PM NSCWASHDC USIA WASHDC 2024 DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC S 5 CR M SECTION 08 OF 08 BOGOTA 003463 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc N_ o C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 STATE FOR INR IL ARA AND DRL INL EUR RPM MFITZPATRICK NSC FOR JAMES DOBBINS SeGRET SECR E T PAGE 02 BOGOTA 03463 08 OF 08 1122322 ONDCP FOR JANET CRIST SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEA FOR OF OFL OC AX JUSTICE FOR CRIM WARREN RICHARD AND NDDSNAN VLIET FBI FOR CID IRS IRU2 USIA FOR AR I GAR TREASURY FOR FINCEN E O 12958 DECL 04 11 07 TAGS PINR PHUM PTER PINS PGOV SNAR CO SUBJECT PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA C-AL -00269 28 S NF POLICE INTELLIGENCE ANALYZED THE PARAMILITARY SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE CITED ABOVE ALTHOUGH IT APPARENTLY HAD ACCESS TO THE COMPLETE DOCUMENT RATHER THAN THE TEN-PAGE EXCERPT POST OBTAINED THE POLICE ANALYSIS NOTES THAT THE PARAMILITARY SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE ESTABLISHES THE FOLLOWING ANTI-SUBVERSIVE STRATEGIES MASSIVE AND SELECTIVE KIDNAPPINGS MULTIPLE HOMICIDES CONTROLLING GUERRILLA SOURCES OF SUPPLY IN URABA EXECUTION OF GUERRILLA COLLABORATORS AND HELPERS AND URBANIZATION OF OPERATIONS ACCORDING TO THE POLICE ANALYSIS THE PARAMILITARIES HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESS WITH KIDNAPPING PARTICULARLY OF GUERRILLA RELATIVES BUT THIS TACTIC DOES NOT AFFECT THE GUERRILLAS MILITARILY AS FOR MURDER THE POLICE ANALYSIS NOTES THAT THE PARAMILITARIES SAY THEY ARE OPPOSED TO THE CURRENT SPIRAL OF VIOLENCE BUT THEIR PLANS TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS SUGGEST THE KILLINGS WILL CONTINUE AS FOR CUTTING OFF SUPPLIES IN URABA PARTICULARLY WEAPONS THE POLICE ANALYSIS SIMPLY NOTES THAT THIS IS A PRIORITY IN SEVERAL MUNICIPALITIES IN THE AREA THE POLICE DOCUMENT STATES THAT EXECUTIONS ARE ONE OF THE PARAMILITARIES' PRIMARY AND CRIMINAL MEANS OF DE-MOTIVATING GUERRILLA SYMPATHIZERS AND DISPLACING PEASANTS LEAVING LIBERATED SEGRET -SEGRls T PAGE 03 BOGOTA 03463 08 OF 08 1122322 TERRITORY IN THEIR WAKE AS REGARDS URBANIZATION THE POLICE UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018 REPORT NOTES THAT THE PARAMILITARIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THIS AREA AS DEMONSTRATED BY THEIR PRESUMED ATTACK IN MAY 1996 AGAINST BOGOTA CITY COUNCILWOMAN AIDA ABELLA AND THEIR ABILITY TO KIDNAP GUERRILLA RELATIVES IN CITIES ALL OVER COLOMBIA 29 -- a 1PJFy-ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT DIRECT MILITARY CONFRONTATION BETWEEN PARAMILITARIES AND GUERRILLAS HAS THUS FAR ONLY TAKEN PLACE IN CORDOBA AND URABA ELSEWHERE MORE SELECTIVE ATTACKS OCCUR AGAINST CIVILIANS THE ANALYSIS CONCLUDES THAT THE GROWTH OF PARAMILITARISM IS WORRISOME IT ASKS WHY THE GOC WAS WILLING TO ATTACK THE FARC'S SANCTUARY IN LA URIBE IN 1995 BUT HAS NOT SHOWN THE SAME INTEREST IN TAKING SIMILAR ACTION AGAINST ACCU'S SANCTUARY IN CORDOBA THE DOCUMENT CLOSES BY SAYING IT IS CLEAR THAT ACCU CONSTITUTES A DESTABILIZING FACTOR THE GOC SHOULD CONTROL NEUTRALIZE AND ERADICATE IT 30 i9 l'4-WE WILL BE KEENLY INTERESTED IN THE RESULTS OF WASHINGTON ANALYSTS' STUDY OF PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA FRECHETTE NNNN UNCLASSIFIED _U S Department of State Case No M-2007-04237 Doc No C06662805 Date 10 31 2018