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Colombia’s Putumayo: A Coca Economy in Dispute (Part I of a Putumayo Trip Report)
U.S. Embassy Bogota, cable, Confidential, 13 pp.

UNCLASSIFIED Page Current Class C6NF -LDENT-IAL Current Handling n a Channel n a 1999BOGOTA11253 Document Number EE- 'CeNFF4GRNT4AZ BOGOTA PAGE 01 01 OF 05 11253 1 PTQ9773 R ®4A T MA 1719192 ACTION SCT-00 INFO I AID-00 A-00 MFA-01 NP-00 ACQ-00 COME-00 CTME-00 INL-03DINT-00 CG-00 DOTE-00 WHA-01 SRPP-00 DS-00 EB-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 FBO-01 FRB-00 E-00 INSE-00 I0-00 ITC-01 JUSE-00 INR -00 M-00 AC-01 NRCE O'0 MMP-00 ADS 00 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00' OIC-02 PM-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SP-00 STR-00 P-00 SGHD-00 PM13-00 USSS-- O0 ASDS-01 DTC-01 NFAT-00 G-00 SAS-00 025W DRL-02 ------------------1CD31E 1719332 38 LOG-00 CCO-00 DOEE-00 OIGO-02 TEDE-00 L-00 OCS-03 ACE-00 USIE-00 PRM-01 CA-02 DODE-00 EXIM-01' H-01 LAB-01 NSA-O 3 PRS-00 TRSE-00 DSCC-00' P 17192OZ DEC 99 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2400 INFO NSC WASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC AMEMBASSY PANAMA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BRASILIA AMEMBASSY LIMA USINT HAVANA USCINCSO MIAMI FL DEA WASHDC CIA WASHDC CeNFIDE-IFFlAh '- PAGE 02 BOGOTA 11253 01 OF 05 1719192 s DIA WASHDC C-- ter g T Iy F IT T I A r -SECTION 01 OF 05 BOGOTA 011253 USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD BRAYSHAW USCINSCOC ALSO FOR POLAD LITT E O 12958 DECL 1 6 X1 X5 X6 TAGS PTER SNAR MASS ECON PHUM ASEC PINS SAID CO SUBJECT COLOMBIA'S PUTUMAYO A COCA ECONOMY IN DISPUTE PART I OF A PUTUMAY0 TRIP REPORT REF A BOGOTA 6624 CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE BARBARA C MOORE Current Class UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW AUTHORITY DAVID W COX DATE CASE ID 05 MAY 2009 200703141 REASONS Page 1 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW AUTHORITY APPEALS REVIEW PANEL APPEAL ACTION ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELEASED REASON S 1 4 D 1 4 B DATE CASE ID 06 JUL 2011 200703141 UN CLASSIFIED Current Class GONF-FDE T-1- LL Current Handling n a Document Number 1999BOGOTA11253 Page 2 Channel n a 1 5 B D 1 W- SUMMARY THE ENTIRE CULTURE OF COLOMBIA'S SOUTHERN PUTUMAYO DEPARTMENT - ITS ECONOMY ITS SECURITY ITS FUTURE - IS INTIMATELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE FATE OF ITS CHIEF SOURCE OF INCOME COCA PAST GOVERNMENTAL EFFORTS EAL'WITH THE PROBLEM HAVE FAILED-MISERAELY AND ONLY LAYED 'PAYING 1•HS PIPER - W T11 NAKL U GUERRILLA PARAMILITARY VIOLENCE BEYUND THE Abiiji J IS6 We THk HEAVILY' BUNKERED LOCAL FORCES OF ORDER _-NEEDED p LTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS WILL' INEVITABLY BE THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE HINDERED BY THE LACK OY SECURITY TO THE SOCIAL' PROTESTS AND PERHAPS VIOLENCE THAT-LIKELY WILL FOLLOW IN THE WAKE OF PLANNED AERIAL ERADI-CAZLQ THIS IS EFFORTS TN THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COMING MONTHS PART ONE OF A TWO-PART TRIP REPORT FOLLOWING POLOFFS' WNfTDENTTA-h 01 OF 05 171919Z BOGOTA 11253 PAGE 03 DECEMBER 1-3 TRIP TO PUTUMAYO DEPARTMENT END SUMMARY 2 THE LUSH JUNGLE DEPARTMENT OF PUTUMAYO ACROSS THE BORDER FROM ECUADOR'S NORTH-EASTERN JUNGLE REGION IS BELIEVED TO BE HOME TO THE LION'S SHARE OF COLOMBIA'S AS SUCH THE EXPLOSIVE GROWTH IN COCA CULTIVATION DEPARTMENT HAS ATTRACTED MORE THAN ITS FAIR SHARE OF ATTENTION FROM BOTH THE FARC GUERRILLAS AND AUC PARAMILITARIES THE GOC WILL INTENSIFY ITS COUNTER-COCA EFFORT THERE WITH THE DECEMBER INAUGURATION OF THE COLOMBIAN ARMY'S FIRST COUNTER-NARCOTICS BATTALION AT TRES ESQUINAS ALONG THE CAQUETA-PUTUMAYO BORDER AND USG-SUPPORTED AERIAL SPRAY ERADICATION EFFORTS EXPECTED DURING THEIR DECEMBER 1 TO GET UNDERWAY IN EARLY 2000 3 VISIT POLOFFS HOPSCOTCHED BY AIR AMONG PUERTO ASIS THE DEPARTMENT'S LARGEST TOWN SANTA ANA HOME TO THE ARMY'S 24TH BRIGADE AND VILLA GARZON HOME TO AN ARMY BATTALION AND THE ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICE BASE DESTINED TO a SERVE AS THE NAB-FINANCED FORWARD OPERATING LOCATION FOR AERIAL ERADICATION THEY DISCUSSED THE LOCAL NARCOTICS TRADE AND PUBLIC ORDER ISSUES WITH COLOMBIAN 2UZMY POLICE CNP AND CIVILIAN OFFICIALS 1 4 D PUTUMAYO IS COCA 3 S'i ' TO A ONE INTERLOCUTORS VOLUNTEERED THAT PUTUMAYO'S ECONOMY IS COCA-DRIVEN PUTUMAYO'S HEALTH IS Current Class Page-r 2 UNCLASSIFIED Cilrrent Class E ' Current Handling n a Document Number 1999BOGOTA11253 Page 3 Charnel n a CONFTDENTi-AL 01 OF 05 171919Z BOGOTA 11253 PAGE 04 DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE HEALTH OF THE COCA TRADE THEY WHILE COCAINE HCL LABS CAN BE FOUND ACROSS THE SAID DEPARTMENT MOST OF THE DEPARTMENT'S COCA PRODUCTION AND COCAINE LABS ARE CENTERED IN THE MOST POPULATED CORNER OF THE DEPARTMENT WEST OF THE MAIN NORTH-SOUTH ROAD WHICH ENDS AT PUERTO ASIS AND SOUTH OF ORITO IN THESE TWO MUNICIPALITIES PLUS LA HORMIGA AKA VALLE DEL GUAMUEZ INDEED THE GOVERNORAND SAN MIGUEL MUNICIPALITIES DECLARED PUBLICLY IN OCTOBER THAT AN ESTIMATED 135 000 OF PUTUMAYO'S 350 000 RESIDENTS WORK DIRECTLY IN THE COCA TRADE MOSTLY IN COCA CULTIVATION THE REST OF THE DEPARTMENT'S POPULATION LIVES OFF THE TRADE INDIRECTLY FORWARD DEPLOYED TO SAN' A Ar7A ECHOED CIVILIAN OFFICIALS I N 'ESTIMATING THAT SEVENTY PERCENT Off' ALL MONEY FLOWING THROUGH PU'I UW YO COMES DIRECTLY FROM NARCOTICS 4 G • POLOFFS WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO A BUSTLING TOWN UNEMPLOYMENT IN URBAN PUERTO ASIS CENTER OF 25 000 URBANITES PLUS ANOTHER 25 000 RURAL MAKES PUERTO ASIS-THE DEPARTMENT'S LARGEST POPULATION''AND TRADING CENTER IT'S TRUE WE HAVE NO BEGGARS „ NOTED I OF D IRAN YHERDOESrSOM COTICS POLICE I3ETACEMENT 1 EVERYBO E ETHING 1 4 B NOR DOES PUTUMAYO SUFFER FROM THE SAME PROBLEM OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS MANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE EXPERIENCING INSTEAD PUTUM AYO'S POPULATION IS INCREASING MANY OF ITS NEW RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ATTRACTED DIANY WORD BY PROMISES OF EASY MONEY IN THE COCA BOOM 8N'FTSENT AL PAGE'05 BOGOTA 11253 01 OF 05 171919Z C-63 RTDEN A B CONF_MRNT_1 b PAGE 01 BOGOTA 11253 02 OF 05 PTQ982 2 17192OZ ACTION SCT-00 INFO I i LOG-00 CCO-00 MFA-01 CG-00 DOEE-00 OIGO-02 DOTE-00 E-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 NP-00 COME-00 WHA-01 AID-00 CTME-00 A-00 INL-01 ACQ-00 DINT-00 CA-02 DODE-00 FAAE-00 SRPP-00 FBIE-00 DS-00 FBO-01 EB-00 FRB-00 EXIM-01 H-01 INSE-00 I0-00 ITC-01 JUSE-00 LAB-01 Current Class C4NF4BRENNT-I-A1np Page 3 I i i I UNCLASSIFIED Current Class C02dF-I•I7ENTT L Page 4 Current Handling n a Channel n a Document Number 1999BOGOTA11253 ADS-00 M-00 MMP-00 AC-01 NRCE-00 OPIC-01 PA-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PM-00 P-00 SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 STR-00 'USSS-00 ASDS-01 DTC-01 SGHD-00 PMB-00 DRL-02 G-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 025W i ------------------1CD42A 171943'Z 38 P 1719202 DEC 99 L-00 OCS-03 ACE-00 USIB-00 PRM -01 NSAE-00 PRS- 00 TRSE-00 DSCC- T T FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2401 ' INFO NSC WASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC AMEMBASSY AMEMBASSY AMEMBASSY AMEMBASSY AMEMBASSY PANAMA CARACAS QUITO BRASILIA LIMA USINT HAVANA '-USCINCSO MIAMI FL DEA WASHDC CIA WASHDC CeNiF1DENT PAGE 02 BOGO'T'A 11253 ' 02 OF 05 17192OZ DIA WASHDC C--O--N- F I D E N T I-A -L SECTION 02 OF 05 BOGOTA 011253 -USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAR BRAYSHAW •USCINSCOC ALSO FOR POLAD LITT E O 12958 DECL 1 6 X1 X5 X6 TAGS s PIER SNAR MASS ECON PHUM ASEC PINS EAID CO SUBJECT COLOMBIA'S PUTUMAYO A COCA ECONOMY IN DISPUTE PART I OF A PUTLTMAYO TRIP REPORT ON ONE OF THE MANY LARGE PLANTATION STYLE COCA FARMS PUTUMAYO WHICH SEEM TO BE THE NORM RATHER THAN SMALL PLOTS PLANTED BY INDIVIDUAL FARMERS IN THIS-MAY HELP EXPLAIN WHY NAS' AERIAL ERADICATION PILOTS REPORT ALMOST NO COCA ON THE ECUADORIAN SIDE OF THE BORDER - MANY MAY HAVE MIGRATED NORTH TO WORK THE PLANTATIONS 5 -Fe'J THERE HAS BEEN COCA IN PUTUMA YO FOR AT LEAST A GENERATION BUT MUCH OF PUTUMAYO'S EXPLOSION OF COCA CULTIVATION IS OF RECENT ORIGIN COMING IN THE WAKE OF THE 1996 CAQUETA CAMPESINO COCA PROTESTS AFTER THOSE MARCHES TURNED VIOLENT THE SAMPER GOVERNMENT REACHED AN AGREEMENT THE ORITO ACCORDS WITH THE COCALEROS OF ' Current Class CON TDENTTAL Page 4 i I 'Y Ti T_ UNCLASSIFIED Current Class CaNF-IDENTTAL Current Handling n a Document Number 1999BOGOTA11253 Page 5' Channel n a THEN-INTERIOR MINISTER HORACIO SERPA PROMISEDPUTUMAYO THE DEPARTMENT INFUSIONS OF DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE HEALTH AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ETC THE GOVERNMENT INFORMALLY AGREED TO A THREE-YEAR BAN ON ERADICATION WITH THE BAN 02 OF 05 17192OZ BOGOTA 11253 PAGE 03 TO END IN LATE 1999 WELT AFTER THE END OF THE SAMPER ADMINISTRATION SOME INTERLOCUTORS CLAIMED SERPA EVEN LEGALIZED A MAXIMUM OF THREE HECTARES OF COCA PER THE THREE-YEAR BAN WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE GROWER LOCALS TIME TO TRANSITION OUT OF COCA BEFORE THE HAMMER OF THE STATE CAME DOWN 6 tom BUT IT HASN'T WORKED THAT WAY INSTEAD THE STATE INVESTED LITTLE IN ALTERNATIVES FOR PUTUMAYO - AND LIMITED PUTUMAYO USED THE THREE YEARS TO PLANT COCA AERIAL FUMIGATION BEGAN ONLY IN'NOVEMBER 1999 IN NORTHERN PUTUMAYO WITH NAS-CONTRACTED SPRAY PLANES SPRAYING AS FAR AS TEN MILES SOUTH OF THE CAQUETA RIVER SEPARATING WITH THIS MONTH'S GRADUATION FROM CAQUETA AND PUTUMAYO TRAINING OF THE ARMY'S FIRST COUNTER-NARCOTICS BATTALION MORE EXTENSIVE SPRAYING IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN EARLY 2000 -- AI THOt7G 3 THE NATIONAI GCtVERWENT IS SWILL QUIT CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIKELIHOOD OF SOCIAL PROTEST AND 'UPSWING IN VIOLENCE IF PUTUMAYO SPRAYING BEGINS IN PUERTO ASIS A SNAP-SHOT OF-LIFE ON THE FRONT LINES --------------------------------------------------j 7 2t PERHAPS THE BEST-WAY TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT IN WHICH PUTUMAYO'S COCA ECONOMY THRIVES IS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOWN IN WHICH THE COLOMBIAN STATE ENJOYS GREATER PENETRATION THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR ITS TOTAL URBAN AND RURAL MUNICIPAL POPULATION OF SOME 50 000 RESIDENTS PUERTO ASIS HAS-TWO BANK BRANCHES BANCO GANADERO AND THE STATE-OWNED BANCO AGRARIO A DOZEN-PLUS MONEY WIRING SERVICES TWO HIGH SCHOOLS ONE CeNPI-DENTT AL PAGE 04 BOGOTA 11253 02 OF 05 1719202 PROSECUTING ATTORNEY ONE JUDGE AND ONE JAIL WITH 45 PRISONERS RANDOM WATER AND-ELECTRICITY RATIONING IS A ONE INTERLOCUTOR ESTIMATED THAT ONLY DAILY OCCURRENCE 500 OF THE 50 000 RESIDENTS HAVE EVER GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL THAT FIGURE STRIKES US AS LOW BUT NOT BY MUCH 8 1C BOTH THE DAS FBI-EQUIVALENT AND THE SIJIN Current Class C Page -5 I UN CLASSIFIED Current Class QO IDRNT-I-A L Page 6 Current Handling n a Document Number 1999BOGOTA11253 j Channel n a INVESTIGATIVE POLICE HAVE ABANDONED PUERTQ ASIS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS 'THE TOWN'S -NESTOR 1tRRNANDEZ IGLESIA WAS PLACED 1U4DER HOUSE ARREST IN OCTOBER FOR FRAUDULENT CONTRACTS AID KICKBACKS f 1 4 B t A D ANi7ib°'2 '15u7t PUERTO ASIS HAD 3301 ROMrCDES IN THIS IS EQUIVALENT TO A RATF FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1999 ABOUT 12 TIMES THE ALREADY HIGH NATIONAL AVERAGE PARAMILITARIES KILLED THREE PERSONS THE NIGHT BEFORE POLOFFS' ARRIVAL IN TOWN 9 W--Y SINCE NOVEMBER OF 1998 18 OF THE TOWN'S 80 POLICE HAVE BEEN KILLED THE DIRAN COPS ABANDONED THEIR UNSECURE BASE ON THE EDGE OF TOWN IN FAVOR OF A DOWNTOWN LOCATION AFTER EIGHT OF THEIR BRETHREN WERE KILLED IN A FARO EVEN MORE POLICE HAVE BEEN ASSASSINATED SINCE BOMBING THEN HOWEVER BY TIRE SECURITY FORCES' BIGGEST NIGHTMARE TWO DIRAN -- THE URBAN MILITIA MEMBERS OF THE FARC POLICEMEN WERE SEPARATELY SHOT TO DEATH WITHIN EYESIGHT EGAP EH 'kNBC BOGOTA 11253 05 02 OF 05 CMF DRNTL PAGE 01 BOGOTA 1719202 11253 '03 OF 05 PTQ9812 17192OZ ACTION SCT-00 INFO LOG-00 CCO-00 MFA-01 CG--00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 OIGO-02 E-00 NP-00 COME-00 HA-01 FAAE-00 AID -00 CTME-00 ' SRPP-00 FBIE-00 A-00 INL-01 ACQ-00 DINT-00 DS-00 EB-00 FBO-01 FRB-00 CAA-02 DODE-00 EXIM-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 INSE-00 I0-00 ITC-01 JUSE-00 LAB-01 L-00 ADS-00 MMP-00• M-00 AC-01 NRCE-00 NSAE-00 OCS-03 OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 STR-00 USIE-00 USSS-00 ASDS-01 DTC-01 SGHD-00 PMB-00 TRSE-00 DSCC-00 PRM-01 NFAT-00 DRL-•02 G-00 SAS-00 025W ------------- ----1CD3EB 1719412 138 P 1 1920Z DEC 99 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA i TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2402 Current Class C i t Page 6 41 UNCLASSIFIED Current Class CBNFI3£N A Current Handling nJa Document Number 1999BOGOTA11253 Page 7 Channel nJa INFO NSC WASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC AMEMBASSY PANAMA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BRASILIA AMEMBASSY LIMA USINT HAVANA USCINCSO MIAMI FL DEA WASHDC CIA WASHDC PAGE 02 BOGOTA 11253 03 OF 05 17192OZ DIA WASHDC SECTION 03 OF 05 BOGOTA 011253 0 ' USCINCSO ALSO FOR-POLAR BRAYSHAW USCINSCOC ALSO FOR POLAR LITT E O 12958 DECL 1 6 X1 X5 X6 PIER SNAR MASS ECON PHUM ASEC PINS SAID CO TAGS SUBJECT COLOMBIA'S PUTUMAYO A COCA ECONOMY IN DISPUTE PART I OF A PUTUMAYO TRIP-REPORT OF THE NEW POLICE STATION IN BROAD DAYLIGHT A DEPARTMENTAL POLICEMAN WAS KILLED JUST AS A LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISGORGED ITS HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS I A FARC MEMBER IN CIVILIAN ATTIRE APPROACHED THE POLICE OFFICER OVERSEEING SCHOOL RELEASE AND DEMANDED HIS RIFLE WHEN THE POLICEMAN REFUSED THE MILITIAMAN PULLED A PISTOL SHOT HIM POINT-BLANK AND GRABBED THE RIFLE OTHER POLICE OBSERVING FROM ACROSS THE PLAZA HELD THEIR FIRE FOR FEAR Off' MASSACRING THE SCHOOL CHILDREN WHILE THE FARC ASSASSIN MADE OFF THROUGH THE CROWD OF HORRIFIED KIDS 1 5 10 - -Et THE SECURITY OF PUERTO ASIS IS GUARANTEED BY4 3 b_IP AN ANTI NARCOTICS POLICE ONLY TWO OF WHOM ARE PLUS 45 REGULAR CNP - AS OF THIS SUMMER T E OFFICERS TOWN IS ALSO HOME TO ACOMPANY 100 MEN OF THE ARMY'S 24TH BRIGADE-1 THE TUWN kiAb QFFEREDk' C 0 9 ALTHOUGH THE FARC HAS THUS FAR REFRAINED FROM AN OUTRIGHT TAKEOVER OF THE TOWN - SOMETHING THE PAGE 03 BOGOTA 11253 03 OF 05 1719202 Current Class C Flag r 7 2 UNCLASSIFIED Current Class Page - S Current Handling n a Document Number 1999BOGOT A11253 Channel n a TOWN'S DEFENDERS CONCEDE THE FARC COULD DO WHENEVER THEY WHEN THE JUNGLE WARFAREDECIDE IT IS IN THEIR INTEREST TRAINED DIRAN POLICE LEAVE THEIR SANDBAGGED HEADQUARTERS TO CONDUCT COUNTER- NARCOTICS OPERATIONS THEY MUST WALK THEY HAVE JUST ONE TWIN-CAB PICK-UP TRUCK TO CALL THEIR OWN AS A RESULT THEY CONDUCT NO OPERATIONS MORE THAN 7-10 MILES FROM TOWN 11 ej_THE ARMY COMPANY PATROLS TOWN ONLY AS FAR AS THE WHILE THE ARMY AND RIVER 'BANKS 3 KM_FROM DOWNTOWN POLICE SOMETIMES MOUNT RANDOM DA YTIME R7ADBLOCKS ON•THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN NEITHER WILL MOUNT SUCH ROADBLOCKS AT NEITHER 'THE COPS NOR THE ARMY VENTURE ACROSS 'THE NIGHT AN ESTIMATED 500 FARC MILITIA CONTROL TF E WHERE RIVER t TIN-ROOFED SHACKS AND SLUMS THAT DOT THE FAR SIDE •AND ARE HOME TO TEE BULK OF THE URBAN POPULATION THE POLICE MATTER-OF-FACTLY CONCEDE THAT THE FARC CONTROLS THE HAVING BOUGHT SEVERAL DOZEN OUTBOARD MOTORBOA'T'S RIVER FOR LOCAL WATER TAXI SERVICES THE FA RC CAN RECLAIM THE BOATS AT WILL FOR USE IN CONDUCTING ITS OWN MILITARY C% 'TRAFFICKING OPERATIONS -ON-THE OTHER HAND THE NAVY-IS BASED IN TA13 FAR WEST OL TEE DEPARTI GENT PUERTO LEGUIZAMO ANDHAS VISITED PUERTO ASIS - THE LARGEST JUST ONCE THIS Y 1 PORT ON THE PUTUMAYO RIVER 1 4 ID 12_ ROAD TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF TOWN IS DANGEROUS THE GUERRILLAS REGULARLY MOUNT ROADBLOCKS EVEN IN THE' DAYTIME BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE TOWN'' AS A RESULT 11253 17192OZ BOGOTA PAGE 04 03 OF 05 THE SECURITY FORCES AVOID INTER-TOWN TRAVEL BY ROAD MY E POLICE C'AT ET 7178-NXRr ER ASSET S IN THE DEPARTMENT MUCH LESS IN TOWN ALTHOUGH HE AMiY AT THE ECOPETROL STATE OIL -COMPANY PROVIDES SAt TA ANA A 10 -MII E FLIGHT FROM PUERTO 'AS KS' I 20 ' 1I0 THE NEAREST DEDICATED OF MI-17 HELTCOPTE'R USE PER MON'M TRS PPORT IS ONE FLIGHT HOUR AWAY AT TRES ESQUINAS CAQUETA THE PARAMILITARIES HAVE ARRIVED ------------------------------13 W - MEANWHILE THE AUC PARAMILITARIES HAVE COME TO I r -_ TOLD POLOFFS THAT THE AUC PARAMILITARIES NOW CONTROL THE URBAN AREAS OF BOTH PUERTO ASIS AND LA Current class ECENFI I xTfitr Page S UNCLASSIFIED Current Class EBI FF-I-aENTIAL Current Handling n a Document Number 1999BOGOTA11253 HORMIGA CONDUCTING DAYTIME ROVING PATROLS IN KNOWN V E iCLESf STATED tYLi T'_ 1 TE FARO'S REPRESSIONH AS PROMPTED AUTHENTIC POPULAR REJECTION OF THE F UC _WD CLEAR SUPPORT FOR THE PARAMILITARIES COMPLAINED °TO POLOFFS THAT IN SUCH AM GGhTTDZNT-TAL PAGE 05 -BOGOTA 11253 03 OF 05 1719202 CeNFTDRbff-PAL PTQ9815 C I 11253 PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-00 BOGOTA INFO LOG-00 MFA-01' NP-00 CCO-00 CG-00 COME-00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 OIGO-02 TEDE-00 E-00 INR-00 L-00 OCS-03 ADS-00 OIC-02 MMP-00 OMB-01 ACE-00 P-00 USSS-00 SP-00 ASDS-01 USIE-00 PRM-01 DRL-02 04 OF 05 1719202 AID-00 CTME-00 A-00 INL-01 ACQ-00 DINT-00 WHA-01 SR-PP-00 DS-00 EB-00 E XIM-01 FAAE-00 INSE-00 FBIE-00 I0-00 M-00 OPIC-01 IRM-00 FBO-01 -ITC-01 AC-01 PA-00 SSO-00 FRB-00 - 00 H-01 NRCE-00 PM- 00 STR-00 DTC-01 SGRD-00 PMB-00 NFAT-00 G-00 SAS-00 025W --------- 1CD3F7 171942Z 3B CA-02 DODE-00 LAB - 01 NSAE-00 PRS-00 TRSE-00 DSCC-00 P 1719202 DEC 99 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2403 INFO NSC WASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC AMEMBASSY PANAMA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BRASILIA AMEMBASSY LIMA USINT HAVANA USCINCSO MIAMI FL Current Class L NF-1 F Vr-1 C0 Page 9 UNCLASSIFIED Current Class Current Handling n a Document Number 1999DOGOTA 11253 Page 1G Channel n a DEA WASHDC CIA WASHDC I CONFZUNT--I-A PAGE 02 DIA WASHDC C-O-I BOGOTA 11253 04 OF 05 17192OZ ECTION 04 OF 05 BOGOTA 011253 F USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAR BRAYSHAW USCINSCOC ALSO FOR POLAR LITT t E O 12958 DECL 1 6 X1 X5 X6 PTER SNAR MASS ECON PHUM ASEC PINS SAID CO r TAGS t SUBJECT COLOMBIA'S PUTUMAYO A COCA ECONOMY IN DISPUTE PART I OF A PUTUMAYO TRIP REPORT ENVIROI3 tENT THE CI-VILIAN POPULACE DO NO TREPORT TO SECURITY' FORCES ON THE PA-l2AS' ACTIVITIES 14 C4 VIRTUALLY ALL INTERLOCUTORS DATED THE PARRS' IN PHASE ONE ARRIVAL IN THE DEPARTMENT TO EARLY 1998 ' THE PARRS' BEGAN A GRAFFITI CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCING THEIR ARRIVAL AND SPONSORED A NUMBER OF HORRIFIC MASSACRES OF UNARMED INDIVIDUALS ALLEGEDLY CAMPESINO COCA-GROWERS ' NARCOS OR FARO SUPPORTERS ALL INTERLOCUTORS NOTED FOR EXAMPLE THAT PUERTO ASIS HAS BEEN RELATIVELY QUIET AFTER VIOLENCE SPIKED IN MAY-JUNE THIS YEAR IN THIS SECOND PHASE THE PARAS LET UP ON THE VIOLENCE INCREASED URBAN CONFIDENCE AND BEGAN QUIETLY SCHMOOZING THE DEPARTMENT'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL LEADERS AND ASKING FOR MONEY AND SUPPORT IN THIS MANNER SAID ONE-CONTACT r THE PARAS BUILT UP A LOCAL WAR CHEST WHILE ALSO BUILDING POLITICAL LEGITIMACY THE PARRS ALSO ENTERED A BIDDING WAR AGAINST THE FARC THEY OFFERED THEIR SERVICES TO THE NARCOS UNDERCUTTING THE FARC ON PRICE WHILE PROMISING CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 BOGOTA 11253 04 OF 05 1719202 INCREASED PUBLIC SECURITY 1 4 p Current Class C rarr NT_TAr Page I01 WME v UNCLASSIFIED Current Class CONF-FD-ENTTXL Current Handling n a ' Document Number 1999BOGOTA11253 Page 12 f Channel n a COMPOSED OF INDIVIDUALS IMPORTED FROM ANTIOQUTA AND I THE RANK AND FILE HE ELSEWHERE IN NORTHERN COLOMBIA SAID ARE COMPOSED BY MORE AND MORE LOCALS AS THE AUC HAS TAPPED INTO LEGITIMATE ANTI-FARC RESENTMENTS HE STATED THAT THE AUC'S LOCAL CHAPTER IS IOW ON ITS FOURTH COMMANDER IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS WITH AT LEAST ONE OF THE PREVIOUS COMMANDERS HAVING BEEN EXECUTED BY HIS•AUC SUPERIORS FOR KILLING THE WRONG PEOPLE - PEOPLE THE FARC ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THE AUC'S MARCO-BACKERS REPORTEDLY EXECUTED ONE OF THEIR OWN DEPUTY FRONT COMMANDERS EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR SIMILAR OFFENSES OTHER INTERLOCUTORS CONFIRMED THIS ADDING THAT THE AUC'S COMMAND AND CONTROL HAS IMPROVED GREATLY IN RECENT MONTHS i 16 'G THEME AND OTHER CIVILIANS ALL ECHOED THE SAME 1 ILITARY AND POLICE WERE COMPLACENT MANY RECOGNIZED ABOUT THE AUC'S PRESENCE IN THE REGION THAT THIS WAS UNDERSTANDABLE GIVEN THE FARO'S OVERWHELMING PRESSURE ON THE SECURITY FORCES BUT THEY NONETHELESS WORRIED THAT THIS TURNING A BLIND EYE WOULD ONLY CORRUPT THE PUBLIC FORCES GIVEN THE AUC'S OWN GGN-FIDE1rr1AL 04 OF 05 1719202 BOGOTA 11253 PAGE 04 NARCO-FINANCING OTHERS VOLUNTEERED THAT THE CIVILIANS DO NOT REPORT PARAMILITARY ACTIVITIES TO THE SECURITY FORCES BECAUSE NO ONE SEES THE POLICE AND ARMY AS IMPARTIAL ' 17 C SOME CIVILIANS SAID THE COMPLACENCY OF THE -SECURITY FORCES OFTEN CROSSES INTO ACTIVE COMPLICITY l 1'11H PAR AM I L I TAR I E S I A B I A D '• Current Class Page 11 I U-N CLASSIFIED Page 12 Current Class OGA• F4aE 441Current Handling n a Document Number 1999B000TA11253 Channel n a 18 C -IN A DECEMBER 3 SPEECH IN PUERTO ASIS FOR THE LOCAL POLICE CHANGE IN COMMANDERS PUTUMAYO GOVERNOR JORGE DEVIA MURCIA CALLED ON THE NATIONAL POLICE TO BE AWARE OF THE SOCIETY'S LIKELY RESPONSE TO COUNTERNARCOTICS OPERATIONS ON THE DEPARTMENT'S MARCO-CULTURE I WNFf-aENTIAL BOGOTA PAGE 05 1719202 04 OF 05 11253 $ENTIA - CO PTQ9816 CONF NTM BOGOTA PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-00 INFO LOG-00 1719212 05 OF 05 11253 CA-02 MFA-01 NP-00 AID-00 A-00 ACQ-00 CTME-00 INL-01 DODE-00 DINT-00 EXIM-01 ED-00 FRB-00 • H--01 CCO-00 CG-00 COME-00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 AMA-01 SRPP-00 DS-00 OIGO-02 E-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 PBO-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 INSE-00 I0-00 ITC-01 JUSE-00 LAB-01 L-00 ADS-00 MMP-00 M-00 AC-01 NRCE-00 NSAS-00 OCS-03 ACE-00 OIC-02 P-00 OMB-01 SP -00 OPIC-01 IRM-00 PA-00 SSO-00 PM-00 STR-00 PRS-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 PRM-01 USSS-00 DRL-02 ASDS-01 G-00 DTC-01 NFAT-00 SGHD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 025W SAS-00 ------------------ ICD400 1719422 38 P 1719202 DEC 99 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2404 INFO NSC WASHDC DIRONDCP WASHDC AMEMBASSY PANAMA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY BRASILIA AMEMBASSY LIMA USINT HAVANA USCINCSO MIAMI FL DEA WASHDC CIA WASHDC E f L' LJ3EITUZAL i PAGE 02 BOGOTA 11253 05 OF 05 1719212 DIA WASHDC SECTION 05 OF 05 BOGOTA 011253 Current Class C Page 12_ UNCLASSIFIED r Current Class CTWFtaRNT-IAL Current Handling n a Document Number 1999B000TA11253 Page 13 Channel n a USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAR BRAYSHAW USCINSCOC ALSO FOR POLAR LITT E E O 12958 DELL 1 6 X1 X5 X6 PTER SNAR MASS ECON PHUM ASEC PINS EAID CO TAGS SUBJECT COLOMBIA'S PUTUMAYO A COCA ECONOMY IN DISPUTE PART I OF A PUTUMAYO TRIP REPORT - SEE REFTEL FOR MORE ON THE GOVERNOR'S VIEWS THE PUTUMAYO FEDERATION OF COMMUNITIES IS PUBLICLY CALLING FOR NO TO AERIAL ERADICATION YES TO A PEACEFUL POLITICAL SOLUTION ALL INTERLOCUTORS INCLUDING THE POLICE AND ARMY COMMANDERS SPOKEN TO APPEALED FOR A ROBUST PROGRAM OF ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT EVEN AS THEY RECOGNIZED THAT SUCH PROMISES HAVE BEEN MADE - AND ABDICATED - BEFORE 19 1a -7 OUTLINED HIS HOPES FOR SELFICATI6N SELF-SUF3STITUTION AND AGRICUL PRODUCTIONR PRINCIPALLY YUCCA RICE EXOTIC FRUITS OIL SUGAR CORN 47ITHOUT ROAMS TO GET ALTERI AT117 PUCT S TO MARKET HOWE-Lv ER HE WARNED THAT NO ONE WOULD WILLINGLY PL NT BANANAS FOR 12 000 PESOS A' KILO WHIN 'COCA -BASE FETCHES 1 8 MILLION PESOS A KILO CLAIMED THAT TARGETED FOREIGN INVESTMENT N PUtuMAYG OF 6 MILLIONS DOLLARS FOR EACH OIL THREE YEARS - WITH PROPER IMPLEMENTATION ' AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL - COrTI'ROLS WOULD WIPE OUT PUTT 4AYO' S COCA -IN THREE YEARS F3UT 1 A D PAGE 03 BOGOTA 13253 OS OE 05 1719212 WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT HE WARMED REPRESSION WILL ONLY HELP ' FARC SOLIDIFY ITS SOCIAL SUPPORT BASE TFIE ARMED FORCES HE 'CONCLUDED ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION BUTWE ARE NOT 'THE SOLUTION I 4 D 20 kG-1 THE ISSUE OF THE FARC'S INVOLVEMENT IN PUTUMAYO NARCOTICS IS THE FOCUS OF COMPANION SEPTEL COLOMBIA'S PUTUMAYO THE FARC-NARC CONNECTION MOORE C0NV4DRN FIA9 p ¢ END OF DOCUMENT » Current Class Page I3