THREE MORE AUC DEMOBILIZATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 012602

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2014
TAGS: PTER PHUM SNAR PINR CO OAS AUC
SUBJECT: THREE MORE AUC DEMOBILIZATIONS

REF: BOGOTA 12188

Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) The GOC continues to demobilize elements of the United
Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). As of December 8, 510
out of about 1,500 paramilitaries from the Catatumbo Bloc had
registered in their demobilization zone in Norte de Santander
Department. They are scheduled to publicly demobilize on
December 10. On December 9, 147 paramilitaries in northern
Cundinamarca Department demobilized, and on December 4, 47
paramilitaries in southern Magdalena Department demobilized.
If GOC plans to demobilize 700 members of the AUC's Northern
Bloc in Cordoba Department succeed by the end of the year,
the Government will have almost reached its goal of
demobilizing 3,000 paramilitary fighters in 2004. End
Summary.

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Catatumbo Bloc: Demobilization Almost Complete
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2. (C) As of December 8, 510 out of nearly 1,500 members of
the AUC's Catatumbo Bloc -- including AUC Commander Salvatore
Mancuso -- had registered in their demobilization zone in
Norte de Santander Department, received provisional
identification cards, and completed a survey on demographic
information and employment plans. Mancuso and other
paramilitaries facing criminal charges for serious crimes
will remain in a concentration area, probably the principal
zone surrounding the village of Santa Fe de Ralito, Cordoba
Department. Rank and file members accused only of membership
in an illegal armed group will begin departing the Norte de
Santander demobilization zone after a public demobilization
ceremony currently scheduled for December 10. Following
their demobilization, former AUC fighters must report to a
reinsertion center in the nearby town of Tibu to register for
reinsertion benefits. Contacts at the GOC's Office of the
High Commissioner for Peace Office estimate bloc members will
turn in approximately 900 weapons.


3. (C) On November 29, the GOC issued a resolution creating a
demobilization zone on the "Brisas del Sardinata" estate,
located in the rural district of Campo Dos, in Tibu
municipality. Paramilitaries present within the zone cannot
be arrested before December 30. Police and military are
responsible for security around the zone and in areas
formerly dominated by the demobilizing AUC forces. The Army
transferred a counterguerrilla battalion from Arauca
Department to Tibu to assist with security.

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Cundinamarca Self-Defense Forces: Demobilization Complete
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4. (U) One December 9, 147 paramilitaries from the
Self-Defense Forces of Cundinamarca demobilized in a public
ceremony at an agricultural institute in the rural district
of Teran, Yacopi municipality, Cundinamarca Department,
approximately 60 miles north of Bogota. The demobilization
zone will last until December 30. On November 29, the GOC
issued a resolution suspending arrest warrants nationwide
against the group's commander, Luis Eduardo Cifuentes, aka
"El Aguila," until December 30, so he could leave the
concentration zone at Santa Fe de Ralito and manage the
demobilization. Group members turned in 137 weapons (mostly
rifles and handguns),several dozen radios, and some
explosives. The police and military have a relatively strong
presence in the region where the group operated in northern
Cundinamarca, and the Peace Commissioner's Office has told us
the possibility of a guerrilla resurgence in the aftermath of
the paramilitary demobilization is not a serious concern.

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Southern Magdalena Paramilitaries: Small-Scale and Simple
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5. (C) On December 4, 47 paramilitaries demobilized in the
rural district of Santa Rosa, Santa Ana municipality,
southern Magdalena Department. The GOC passed a resolution
lifting arrest warrants nationwide against the group's
commander, Jose Maria Barrera, aka "Chepe Barrera," until
December 30. The group was only loosely affiliated with the
AUC, and its small size and secure area of operations made
the demobilization relatively simple and straightforward.
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Only Cordoba Remains for 2004
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6. (C) The demobilizations of these three groups and the
Bananero Bloc on November 25 (reftel) brings the total number
of paramilitaries demobilized in 2004 to approximately 2,050.
About 700 paramilitaries from the AUC's Northern Bloc in
Cordoba Department are scheduled to demobilize by the end of
December, but protests from local cattle ranchers have
complicated the effort. If the 700 demobilize before the end
of the year, the GOC will have almost reached its goal of
demobilizing 3,000 paramilitary fighters in 2004.
WOOD