UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 6E Pq IbE T AL cC L PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-00 BOGOTA INFO ACDA-08 CA-02 INL-01 EB-00 FRB-00 LOG-00 ACQ-01 CTME-00 DS-00FBO-01 INSE-00 MMP-00 OPIC-01 STR-00 SGHD-•00 036W 14108 I0-00 M-00_ PA-00 TRSE-00 PMB 00-'- 01 OF 04 ACDE-00 CCO-00 DEAE-00 EXIM-01 H-01 ITC-01 NRCE-00 PM-00 T-00 DSCC-00 2 of PTQ1460 291943Z INLB-01 CEA-01 DINT-00 OIGO-01 IMMC-01 JUSE-00_ NSAE-00 PRS-00 USIE-00 PRM-01 AID-00 CG-00 DOEE-00 E-00 IM-01 LAB-01 OCS-03 P-00 USSS-00 DRL-02 ARA-01 -A-00 CIAE-00 COME-00 DOTE-00 SRPP-00 FAAE-00 FBIE-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-01 ADS-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 SP-00 SSO-00 ASDS-01 DTC-01 G-00 SAS-00 ------ ---- --------91C020 291945Z 38 P 291903Z DEC 98 UNITED STATED DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AUTHORITY DAVID W COX CLASSIFICATION TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6567 CONFIDENTIAL REASON 1 4 D DECLASSIFY AFTER 28 INFO SECDEF WASHDC DEC 2023 DATE CASE ID 21 APR 2009 200604183 USCINCSO MIAMI FL DIRONDCP WASHDC AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY LIMA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY PANAMA AMEMBASSY MEXICO C - 7-F _r F TT m L SECTION 01 OF 04 BOGOTA 014108 Cei3-F PAGE 02 BOGOTA 14108 L 01 OF 04 SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 291943Z APPEALS PANEL ACTION RELEASED IN PART 1 4 D 136 E O 12958 DELL X6 1 6 TAGS PINS SNAR PTER ECON PHUM MASS ASEC PGOV PINR CO SUBJECT THE PARAS FIGHT BACK AGAINST GUERRILLAS AND NARCOS PART II OF TRIP REPORT TO MONTERIA A COLOMBIAN PAPA -DISE REF BOGOTA 13823 CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR CURTIS W KAMMAN REASONS 1 5 B D - 1 SUMMARY DURING ARECENT POLOFF TRIP TO THE OPENLY PROPARAMILITARY TOWN OF MONTERIA CORDOBA DEPARTMENT COLOMBIAN RANCHERS BUSINESSMEN ACADEMICS AND OTHERS EXPLAINED TO POLOFF 2of12 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 UNCLASSIFIE D U S Department of State Case No -M-2006-04183 -Doc'Nd 017832695 Date- 07 10 2 012 GE H F49 ' A-_ 3 of 12 HOW THE LOCAL SELF-DEFENSE FORCES OF CORDOBA AND URABA I E THE ACLU PARAMILITARIES WERE ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED DURING THE 1980S WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE ARMY AND POLICE AS A REACTION TO YEARS OF UNCHECKED GUERRILLA DEPREDATIONS USING BRUTALLY EFFECTIVE TACTICS ACCU FIRST DISMEMBERED THE EPL GUERRILLAS THOUSANDS OF EPL HAVE SINCE SURRENDERED AND IN MORE-RECENT YEARS HAS MOVED AGAINST THE FARC•AND ELN POLOFF ALSO LEARNED SOMETHING OF THE PARAMILITARIES' INTERNATIONAL TIES -- INCLUDING ALLEGATIONS OF HAVING RECEIVED MATERIAL ASSISTANCE FROM U S AND OTHER FOREIGN MULTINATIONALS AND TRAINING BY FOREIGN MERCENARIES MORE ON THIS VIA SEPTEL ' THE ENTRANCE OF NARCO-T-RAFFICKERS' INTO THE REGION WAS ALSO DISCUSSED AS WAS THE PARAMILITARY ROLE IN THE WAR AGAINST PABLO ESCOBAR OF'THE MEDELLIN'CA_RTEL A NUMBER OF INTERLOCUTORS ADVOCATED THAT THE CORDOBA MODEL BE ADOPTED BY COLOMBIA NATIONWIDE THIS IS PART II IN A SERIES OF CABLES REPORTING ON RECENT POLOFF TRI-P TO MONTERIA CORDOBA - PAGE 03 END SUMMARY BOGOTA 14108- 01 OF 04 29194 3•Z 2 K POLOFF TRAVELED TO THE BASEBALL- PLAYING 'CATTLE-RAISING AND COTTON-GROWING TOWN OF MONTERIA CORDOBA ON DECEMBER 11-13NESTLED ALONG THE FERTILE BANKS OF THE SINU RIVER WHICH FEEDS INTO THE CARIBBEAN 40 MILES AWAY THE TOWN OF 365 000 IS THE CAPITAL OF CORDOBA DEPARTMENT -- AND PERHAPS THE MOST SOLIDLY PRO-PARAMILITARY BURG IN ALL COLOMBIA EVERY LOCAL INTERLOCUTOR WITH WHOM POLOFF SPOKE -- POLITICIANS RANCHERS JOURNALISTS ACADEMICS AND OTHERS -- FREELY ADMITTED SOME PRIVATELY OTHERS PUBLICLY THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE PARAMILITARIES AS BAD AS THEY ARE THESE PERSONS ASSERTED THE PARAMILITARIES ARE LESS BAD THAN THE GUERRILLAS WHICH PREVIOUSLY LAID WASTE TO CORDOBA AND THE URABA REGION THE GUERRILLAS SIMPLY HAD TO GO -- AT ANY COST AND BECAUSE OF THE PA_IRAMILITARIES MOST OF CORDOBA NOW ENJOYS A PEACE A NUMBER OF COLOMBIANS WOULD LITERALLY KILL FOR _ AFTER ALL ONE SAID WE DID THE CAST OF CHARACTERS 3 18j IN THE WAKE OF THE DECEMBER 11 PEACE CONFERENCE REF A POLOFF MET-WITH A VARIETY OF PERSONS IN TOWN ALL OF WHOM MORE OR LESS OPENLY INDICATED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SELF-DEFENSE FORCES CON70ENITtAt 1 4 D 3of12 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006 04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 UNCLASSIFIED 'U S- Department of State Case No M-2006-041 83- Doc No 017832695 Date 07110 2012- s ic n niTlAl 4of12 c PAGE 04 BOGOTA 01 OF 04 14108 291943Z 1 4 D 1 4 D CORDOBA YESTERDAY 5 O CORDOBA IS AN ISLAND OF RELATIVE PEACE TODAY FIVE TO EIGHT YEARS AGO GUERRILLAS OF THE EPL AS WELL AS OF THE ELN-AND FARC HAD THE REGION ON ITS KNEES 1 4 D B6 - c1r F T nF'T TT T AL PAGE 05 BOGOTA 14108 C0NF' 01 OF 04 2919432 ZNTTAL Cr' T Fii ci vrI-rTrTa PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-00 BOGOTA INFO ACDA-08 ACDE-00 CA-02 INL-01 EB-00 CCO-00 DEAE-00 EXIM-01 H-01 LOG-00 ACQ-01 CTME-00 DS-00 FBO-01 FRB-00 14108 02 OF 04 291943Z INLB-01 CEA-01 DINT-00 OIGO-01 IMMC-01 mil nI G rfr PTQ1461 AID-00 CG-00 DOEE-00 E-00 IM-01 cry iiti ARA-01 CIAE-00 DOTE-00 FAAE-00 TEDE-00 A-00 COME-00 SRPP-00 FBIE-00 INR-00 4of12 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State- Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 1 0 2012 L INSE-00 MMP-00 OPIC-01 STR-00 SGHD-00 036W I0-00 M-00 PA-00 TRSE-00 PMB-00 ITC-01 NRCE-00 PM-00 T-00 DSCC-00 JUSE-00 NSAE-00 PRS-00 USIE-00 PRM-01 LAB-01 OCS-03 P-00 USSS-00 DRL-02 ------------------91C02F P 291903Z DEC 98 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6568 INFO SECDEF WASHDC USCINCSO MIAMI'FL DIRONDCP WASHDC AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY LIMA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY PANAMA AMEMBASSY MEXICO 5of12 L-01 OIC-02 SP-00 ASDS-01 G-00 ADS-00 OMB-01 SSO-00 DTC-01 SAS-00 291945Z 38 SECTION 02 OF 04 BOGOTA 014108 rT TTTTT Ynz PAGE 02 BOGOTA 14108 02 OF 04 291943Z SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E O 12958 DECD X6 1 6 TAGS PINS SNAR PIER -ECON PHUM MASS ASEC PGOV -PINK CO SUBJECT THE PARAS FIGHT BACK AGAINST GUERRILLAS AND NARCOS PART II OF TRIP REPORT TO MONTERIA A COLOMBIAN PARR -DISE • REF BOGOTA 13823 1 4 D B6 THERE WAS NOT A FAMILY IN TOWN PEOPLE REPEATEDLY SAID-THAT HAD NOT HAD SOMEONE KIDNAPPED-OR KILLED BY THE GUERRILLAS BUT NO MORE 6_ SPOKE OF DRIVING FOR HOURS INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE WITHO UT BODYGUARDS AND WITHOUT FEAR OF GUERRILLA ATTACK THE TOWN IS FREE OF ROADBLOCKS OR POLICE PATROLS AND POLOFF DROVE INTO THE BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS UNCHALLENGED A FIRST ANYWHERE IN COLOMBIA INDEED THE LOCAL ELITES SEPARATELY SPOKE SO POSITIVELY OF THEIR SUCCESSES AGAINST THE GUERRILLAS THAT MARY URGED THE PASTRANA GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT THE CORDOBA MODEL ' AS-THE-BASIS FOR THE 1 4 D 1 4 U 5 of 12 UNCLASSIFIED' U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 1012012 UNCLASSIFIED' U S Department of State' Case No' M-2006-04183' Doc No C17832695 'Date 07 10 2012 CrBPdFt EPf-T-EA 6 Of 12 COUNTER-INSURGENCY WAR NATIONWIDE TOLD POLOFF THAT IT ALL BEGAN JUST LIKE THE MEL GIBSON MOVIE RANSOM VICTIMS' FAMILIES DECLAREDA MORATORIUM ON PAYMENTS DECIDING IT WAS BOTH CHEAPER AND A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION TO USE THE SAME MONEY TO FIGHT THE GUERRILLAS THAN TO 1 4 D LITTP TTIL TTTT A T TiTL - PAGE 03 BOGOTA PAY- THEM EXTORTION 14108 J 02 OF 04 291943Z 7 THAT THE COLOMBIAN ARMY HELPED ESTABLISH THE LOCAL PARAMILITARY STRUCTURE WHAT BECAME'THE ACLU IN THE LATE 1980S AND EARLY 1990S SUPPLYING TRAINING WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION AS WELL AS LOGISTICAL AND INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT BUT THE REAL CHANGE ARGUED CAME IN THE EARLY 1990S WHEN THE ARMY AUGMENTED THE LOCAL MILITARY PRESENCE FROM A BATTALION TO A BRIGADE THE 11TH BRIGADE AFTER THE KILLING OF COLONEL DIAZ THE BATTALION'S COMMANDER THE LOCAL PRIVATE SECTOR HE RECOUNTED BOUGHT LAND TOOLS VEHICLES AND GAS AND PAID THE SALARIES FOR COUNTER-GUERRILLA POLICE AND 'ARMY UNITS TO BE DEPLOYED THE POLICE THE ARMY'S FIRST MOBILE BRIGADE AND THE PARAMILITARIES THEN PUSHED SOUTH ACROSS THE ' DEPARTMENT IN A VERY COORDINATED FASHION AFTER THE ARMY MOVED THROUGH THE POLICE AND PARAMILITARIES ESTABLISHED PERMANENT OUTPOSTS THE TACTICS EMPLOYED WERE BRUTALLY EFFICIENT IMMEDIATE AND MASSIVE RETALIATION WHEN THE EPL KILLED A WELL-KNOWN KIDNAPPED RANCHER 15 LOCAL LABOR LEADERS'WERE KILLED THE VERY NEXT DAY THE BANK TELLERS UNION FOR EXAMPLE WAS EPLAFFILIATED TELLERS ALLEGEDLY IDENTIFIED PERSONS'WHO WERE LOOKING TO ABANDON THE AREA AFTER HAVING DEPOSITED LARGE SUMS OF CASH FROM THE SALES OF THEIR FARMS THE EPL THEN KIDNAPPED THEM EVERY TIME THE EPL KIDNAPPED AND OTHERS EXPLAINED 15 TO 20 PRESUMED EPL SUPPORTERS DIED PRETTY SOON THE EPL SAW THE DIMINISHING RETURNS AND CEASED MOVING TO CATTLE-RUSTLING INSTEAD - ONLY TO GIVE UP ON THAT AS WELL WHEN THE RANCHERS PURSUED A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY WITH ANYONE WHO BOUGHT STOLEN CATTLE 1 4 D 1 4 D 1 4 D C_eN_F PAGE 04 BOGOTA 14108 02 OF 04 291943Z 9 V THE 1990-92 WAR AGAINST THE EPL CAME AT A VERY HIGH SOCIAL COST WITH LOTS OF DEATHS AND HUMAN RIGHTS-VIOLATIONS ON ALL SIDES IN THE END THOUGH UPWARDS OF 1500 ARMED EPL SURRENDERED IN CORDOBA DEPARTMENT ALONE WHEN A PEACE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN 1992 ON ITS OWN INITIATIVE THE CORDOBA RANCHERS ASSOCIATION FEGACOR THROUGH THE FOUNDATION FOR PEACE IN CORDOBA FUNPAZCOR 1 4 D FREELY UNCLASSIFIED U S Department 6f State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No 017832695 Date 07 10 2012 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case-No M-2006-04183 Doc--No 'C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 GQN-F 7 of 12 PROVIDED 10 000 HECTARES OF FARM AND CATTLE-GRAZING LANDS TO THE WHERE A_RE THEY NOW ASKED POLOFF REINSERTED EPL SOME ARE NOW IN THE POLICE AND SOME ARE IN THE ARMY OTHERS HAVE JOINED STILL OTHERS ARE FARMERS CATTLEMEN OR HAVE THE PARAMILITARIES_ GONE INTO PRIVATE BUSINESS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE DEPARTMENT MOST RECENTLY ANOTHER 225 EPL DISSIDENTS SURRENDERED -- NOT TO THE GOVERNMENT BUT DIRECTLY TOr - IN EARLY 1998 1 4 D AND TODAY I BUT THE FARC HAS YET TO BE TAUGHT THE SAME LESSON-' 10 eg NOTE AFTER BEING ROUTED FROM THE REGION IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS THE FARO IS CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING A RETURN TO THE DEPARTMENT WITH SEVERAL MILITARY FRONTS PUSHING BACK INTO SOUTHWESTERN CORDOBA FROM ANTIOQUTA DEPARTMENT END NOTE THE RANCHER CONFESSED MATTER-OF-FACTLY THAT HE AND FELLOW RANCHERS WERE BEHIND THE RECENT-KILLINGS OF'SIX LOCAL BUTCHERS WHO HAD SLAUGHTERED STEERS RUSTLED BY THE FARO ZERO TOLERANCE HE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW HE EXPLAINED DRILY THAT SAID IN ENGLISH BUSINESS DEALINGS INVOLVING STOLEN-PROPERTY THE-FARO OR BOTH ARE JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE ' CF1TTi TT1T 'Ti Oil PAGE 05 BOGOTA LYT9t 14108 GGNF-TB z sxT rnL 02 OF 04 291943Z AL L PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-00 14108 03 OF 04 291944Z ACDA-08 ACDE-00 INLB-01 AID-00 ARA-01 CA-02 CCO-00 CEA-01 CG-00 CIAE-00 INL-01 DEAE-00 DINT-00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 EB-00 EXIM-01 OIGO-01 E-00FAAE-00 FRB-00 H-01 IMMC-01 IM-01 TEDE-00 I0-00 ITC-01 JUSE-00 LAB-01 L-01 DCP-01 NRCE-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OCS-03 OPIC-01 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 P-00 T-00 STR-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 USSS-00 SGHD-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-01 DRL- 02 037W ------------------91C03D 291946Z 38 P 291903Z DEC 98 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6569 INFO SECDEF WASHDC INFO LOG-00 ACQ-01 CTME-00 DS-00 FBO-01 INSE-00 MMP-00 OMB-01 SSO-00 DTC-01 SAS-00 BOGOTA PTQ1463 A-00 COME-00 SRPP-00 FBIE-00 INR-00 ADS-00• DIC-02 SP-00 ASDS-01 G-00 7of12 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of'State Case'No W2006-04183- Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 8of12 USCINCSO MIAMI FL DIRONDCP WASHDC AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY LIMA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY PANAMA AMEMBASSY MEXICO L SECTION 03 OF 04 BOGOTA 014108 Co ' ' rnc m-ra-r 'PAGE 02 BOGOTA 14108 03 OF-04 291944Z SOUTHCOM ALSO -FOR POLAD E 0% 12958 DECL X6 1 6 TAGS PINS SNAR- PTER ECON PHUM MASS ASEC PGOV PINR - CO THE PARAS FIGHT-BACK AGAINST GUERRILLAS AND NARCOS SUBJECT PART II OF TRIP REPORT TO MONTERIA A COLOMBIAN PARA -DISE REF BOGOTA 13823 NOTED THAT THE LAST TIME THE FARC 11 O I INITIATED LOCAL URBAN TERRORISM WAS IN 1996 THERE WERE A HIGH NUMBER OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES HE SAID WHEN THE CATTLEMAN'S ASSOCIATION WAS CAR-BOMBED AS WAS THE DEPARTMENTAL ASSEMBLY FUNPAZCOR'S HEADQUARTERS DIRECTLY-ACROSS THE STREET BUILDING FROM THE MAIN POLICE STATION WAS BOMBED TWICE 1 4 D 1 44 D I THE AUTO-DEFENSAS SUBSEQUENTLY TRACKED DOWN AND KILLED 14 PRESUMED FARC EXPLOSIVES EXPERTS -AND THE-TERROR CAMPAIGN CEASEDURBAN MONTERIA HAS BEEN QUIET EVER SINCE 12_ y7 EXPLAINED AND OTHERS CONFIRMED THAT BUSINESS GROUPS KILLED OFF THE FARC'S-URBAN MILICIANOS AND THAT SOME SOCIAL CLEANSING HAD BEEN CONDUCTED AND CONTINUES OCCASIONALLY AGAINST BEGGARS AND OTHER UNDESIRABLES THE PROOF IT HAS WORKED HE -NOTED WITH CIVIC PRIDE IS THAT DESPITE 40 000 URBAN INTERNALLY-DISPLACED PERSONS WHO HAVE FLED TO MONTERIA TO ESCAPE VIOLENCE IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS DEPRESSED COTTON PRICES LITTLE LOCAL INDUSTRY 60 C 1 4 D BOGOTA PAGE 03 14108 03 OF 04 2919442 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION LIVING IN MISERY AND AN 18 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THERE IS VERY LITTLE CRIME -- AND ZERO BEGGING STILL HE ARGUED THESE ARE NOT DEATH SQUADS IN THE -- IN TOWN CLASSICAL SENSE THAT HE SAID IS USUALLY THE POLICE 8of12 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No 017832695 Date 07 10 2012 UNCLASSIFIED -U S- Department-of State Case No M-2006-041 83• Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 9 QNFIl E- T1AL- 9 of 12 THEMSELVES SUCH AS IN THE RECENT KILLINGS OF ALL MEMBERS OF A GANG THAT ROBBED HOUSES -- AND NO ONE COMPLAINS THE PAPAS' INTERNATIONAL TIES 13 THE PARAMILITARIES HAVE ALLEGEDLY RECEIVED MATERIAL TRAINING AND IDEOLOGICAL SUPPORT FROM A VARIETY OF FOREIGN SOURCES INCLUDING AMERICANS NOTED THAT WHILE MUCH ATTENTION HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON TRAINING PROVIDED IN THE LATE 19805 EARLY 1990S BY 1 4 D 1 4 D THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL MORE IMPORTANT ROUNDS OF FOREIGN TRAINING SINCE THEN TWO OTHER ISRAELI TEAMS HAVE TRAINED THE PARAMILITARIES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS -HE SAID AS HAD A TEAM LED BY-A RETIRED FRENCH ARMY GENERAL - NOTEs -THE FORMATION OR TRAINING OF PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN COLOMBIA HAS'BEEN ILLEGAL EVER SINCE THE PROMULGATION' OF DECREE 180 OF 1988 IF NOT BEFORE END NOTE 14 I f CARLOS CASTANO WAS AN AVID READER OF MILITARY HISTORY WHILE THAT TWO AMERICAN MERCENARIES FROM 'S I IAGAZINE BOULDER COLORADO HAD JOINED THE PEPES ORGANIZATION DURING THE EARLY 1990S FIGHT AGAINST PABLO ESCOBAR HE STATED THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY_CURRENT U S MERCENARY INVOLVEMENT WITH ACLU BUT THEN I'M NOT-PRIVY TO EVERY SINGLE THING ACCU DOES HE 1 4 D 1 4 D P 1TTLTTI L ATTTTT PAGE 04 BOGOTA 14108 03 OF 04 291944Z RECOMMENDED POLOFF READ 'SOF' MAGAZINE WHOSE JOURNALISTS HAVE COME THROUGH REPEATEDLY IN RECENT MONTHS THERE COULD WELL BE U S CITIZEN TRAINERS- HE SURMISED THAT HE WAS UNAWARE OF 15_ Y01 DURING A TIRADE AGAINST THE REACTIVE AND INEFFECTIVE COLOMBIAN ARMY' 1 4 D ANGRILY LAMEN'T'ED THAT NOT ONE GODDAMNED HELICOPTER WE HAVE BEEN USING IN THE SOUTH OF BOl IVAR IN THE ACCU FIGHT AGAINST THE ELN HAS COME FROM THE ARMY NOT ONE NOTE THE ACLU AUC FORCES 'HAVE BEEN USING HELICOPTERS TO GREAT EFFECT IN THEIR FIGHT •TO CONQUER THE ELN'S SANCTUARIES IN SOUTHERN BOLIVAR_ THE HELOS HAVE BEEN USED CHIEFLY FOR WEAPONS-AND AMMO RESUPPLIES COMMAND MOBILITY AIRBORNE SURVEILLANCE AND MEDEVAC PURPOSES END NOTE 16 V INSTEAD THE HELICOPTERS HAVE EITHER BEEN COMMERCIALLY CONTRACTED LOCALLY 1 '7•C -rT P FT i ITh I 1 4 D 1 4 D 9of12 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No -C17832695 Date 07 10 2012I Al i' iKS 10 of 12 1 4 D 1 4 D B6 PAGE 05 BOGOTA 14108 03 OF 04 291944Z up CO ' T ' PAGE 01 ACTION SCT-00 BOGOTA INFO ACDA-08 CA-02 INL-01' EB-00 FRB-0 0 LOG-00 ACQ-01 CTME-00 DS-00 FBO-01 INSE-00 MMP-00 OMB-01 SSO-00 DTC-01 SAS-00 I0-00 M-00 OPIC- O1 STR-00 SGHD-00 037W 14108 04 OF 04 PTQ1464 2919442 ACDE-00 --INLB-01 CCO-00 CEA-01 DEAE-00 DINT-00 EXIM-01 OIGO-01 H-01 IMMC-01 ITC-01 J-USE-00 DCP-01 ' NRCE-00 PA-00 PM-00 TRSE-00 T-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 ------------------91CO46 P 291903Z DEC 98 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6570 INFO SECDEF WASHDC USCINCSO MIAMI FL DIRONDCP WASHDC AMEMBASSY QUITO AMEMBASSY LIMA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY PANAMA AMEMBASSY MEXICO AID-00' CG -00 DOEE-00 E- 00 -IM-01 LAB-01 NSAE-00 PRS-00 US IE-00 PRM- 01 ' AP-A-01 CIAE-00 DOTE-00 FAAE-00 TEDE-00 L-01 OCS-03 P-00 USSS-00 DRL-02 'A-00 COME-00 SRPP-00 FBIE-00 INR-00 ADS-00 ' OIC-02 SP-00 ASDS-01 G-00 29194GZ 38 SECTION 04 OF 04 BOGOTA 014108 Cam Rr'xTmTD7 GGN IDE Iy4 L 10 of 12 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Gase Nb M -2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 0711012012 11 of 12 PAGE 02 BOGOTA 14108 04 OF 04 291944Z SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E O 12958 DECL X6 1 6 TAGS PINS SNAI PTER ECON PHUM MASS ASEC PGOV PINR CO SUBJECT THE PARAS FIGHT BACK AGAINST GUERRILLAS AND NARCOS PART II OF TRIP REPORT TO MONTERIA A COLOMBIAN PARR -DISE REF BOGOTA 13823 1 4 D PABLO ESCOBAR AND THE NARCO WARS 18 POLOFF WAS A FLY ON THE WALL FOR A SURREAL ENCOUNTER OVER SCRAMBLED EGGS AND FRIED PLANTAINS 'WITH 1 4 D THE THREE REMINISCED ABOUT PAST BATTLES SWAPPING WAR STORIES LITERALLY AND FROM THEIR VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES ATTEMPTING TO EDUCATE'POLOFF ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE LOCAL CONFLICTS AND THE ROLE OF NARCOTICS IN-THOSE CONFLICTS THE GUERRILLA WAR IN CORDOBA FACILITATED THE ARRIVAL OF 19 AS THE GUERRILLA VIOLENCE NARCO-TRAFFICKERS TO THE REGION_ INCREASED IN THE LATE 19805 AND EARLY''90 S LOCAL FARMERS AND 04 OF 04 BOGOTA 14108 291944Z PAGE 03 RANCHERS ABANDONED THE AREA IN DROVES SELLING CHEAP TO RICH NARCOS WHO WERE ALL TOO HAPPY TO LEGITIMIZE THEMSELVES -IN THE COLOMBIAN TRADITION BY BECOMING LARGE LANDOWNERS-- THE OCHOA FAMILY OF MEDELLIN CARTEL INFAMY BOUGHT EXTENSIVE LAND-HOLDINGS AND OTHER INVESTMENTS'IN THE AREA AS DID RANCHER AND NARCO FIDEL CASTANO THE OLDER BROTHER NOW GENERALLY'PRESUMED DEAD OF ACLU'S CARLOS CASTANO THE MARCO-TIES OF MANY WERE NOT-KNOWN DEFINITIVELY WHEN 20_ V FIRST MOVED TO THE AREA BUT THEIR WEALTH MADE THEM A THEY NATURAL TARGET FOR THE GUERRILLAS -- AND ALLIES OF THE ALREADYFORMED LOCAL AUTO-DEFENSAS THE DISPLACED RANCHERS HOWEVER CLEARLY HAD -- AND HAVE -- THEIR DIFFERENCES WITH THE NEWLYARRIVED NARCO-RICH WHILE THERE IS LITTLE COCA CULTIVATION IN THE AREA MANY OF THE NARCOS USED THEIR RANCHES FOR CLANDESTINE 11 of 12 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-'04183 Doc No C17832695 Date 07 10 2012 GQNFIaEP i-n n 12 Of 12 AIRSTRIPS MOVING COCAINE OUT OF COLOMBIA ON ITS WAY TO U S'_ AND WORLD MARKETS21 0 BUT THERE ARE NARCOS AND THEN THERE ARE NARCOS PABLO ESCO AR'S ALL-OUT WAGING OF WAR AGAINST THE STATE WAS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE BY ANY MEASURE TO THE CONSERVATIVE-MINDED FOLK OF CORDOBA INCLUDING THE CASTANO BROTHERS ESCOBAR HEAVILY TAXED OTHER THOSE KILLING REFUSED ALL THE NARCOS WHO TO PAY HE HIRED WAGE FOR TO ELN EIGHT YEARS WAR HIM THE FOR PLANTING BOMBS WORKING WITH MEDELLIN BASQUE DESCENDANTS AND THE SPANISH ETA TERRORIST GROUP AND EVEN-WORKING JOINTLY WITH NARCOPARAMILITARIES IN ASSAULTS AGAINST THE STATE I' CARLOS I HE ALSO HIRED THE INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST THE JACKAL SAID TO KILL PRESIDENT 1 4 D 1 4 D C• 1TTg i DENT I A L t PAGE 04 BOGOTA 14108 04 OF 04 2919442 WHILE GEORGE BUSH AND TO BOMB THE UN HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK THE JACKAL -VISITED-MONTERIA TWICE SAID THE PLOTS WERE NEVER CONSUMMATED 1 4 D 22 X BY THIS TIME FIDEL CASTANO AFTER HAVING ALREADY BEATEN THE PL HAD 2 000 PARAMILITARIES WORKING FOR HIM IN THE CORDOBA AND URABA REGIONS SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH -HE TURNED HIS SIGHTS AGAINST PABLO'ESCOBAR HIS FORMER NARCO-ASSOCIATE AND BECAME THE MILITARY'LEADER OF THE PEPES THOSE PERSECUTED BY YOUNGER BROTHER CARLOS -- NOW HEAD OF-THE ACCU PABLO ESCOBAR EVERYONE WORKED -- SERVED AS PEPES CHIEF OF INTELLIGENCE- WITH THE PEPES THE THREE TOLD POLOFF THE AUTO-DEFENSAS THEPOLICE THE ARMY 'THE DEA TWO MERCENARIES RECRUITED VIA 'SOLDIER OF FORTUNE' MAGAZINE EVERYONE FIDEL CASTANO TURNED ESCOBAR'S RULES AGAINST HIM DECLARING A MORATORIUM ON ASSISTANCE TO ESCOBAR ANYONE-WHO PAYS TAXES TO ESCOBAR I KILL HE THEN PROCEEDED TO DO SO WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE POLICE FIDEL WIPED OUT ALL THE' ESCOBAR-RELATED NARCOS IN MONTERIA AND CORDOBA ISSUES IN PART III 23 0 IN THE NEXT INSTALLMENT REGIONAL ISSUES ALONG COLOMBIA'S NORTH COAST INCLUDING NARCOTICS-TRAFFICKING TODAY THE ROLE OF THE-ARMED FORCES AGAINST NARCOS PARAMILITARIES AND GUERRILLAS THE PARAMILITARY OFFENSIVES IN THE REGION AND THE REASONING BEHIND THEIR CALL FOR NATIONAL PEACE ACCORDS KAM14AN nxFTnF r ck END OF DOCUMENT UNCLASSIFIED U S Department of State Case No M-2006-04183 Doc No 817832695 Date 07 10 2012