Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BOGOTA10565
2005-11-09 13:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

BODY OF AFRO-COLOMBIAN LEADER ORLANDO VALENCIA

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM CO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #0565 3131342
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 091342Z NOV 05
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9546
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 010565 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CO
SUBJECT: BODY OF AFRO-COLOMBIAN LEADER ORLANDO VALENCIA
FOUND; GOC FOCUS ON LOCAL POLICE, BUSINESS INTERESTS

REF: BOGOTA 9963

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

-------
Summary
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 010565

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CO
SUBJECT: BODY OF AFRO-COLOMBIAN LEADER ORLANDO VALENCIA
FOUND; GOC FOCUS ON LOCAL POLICE, BUSINESS INTERESTS

REF: BOGOTA 9963

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

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Summary
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1. (C) On November 2, a senior government official informed
the Embassy that the GOC had positively identified the body
of kidnapped Afro-Colombian leader Orlando Valencia,
discovered on October 24 after a nine-day search (reftel).
The GOC continues to investigate the circumstances
surrounding his kidnapping and murder and is now focusing on
local police and African palm oil business interests.

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GOC Says Body is Valencia
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2. (C) Carlos Franco, Director of the President's Office on
Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, told
D/Polcouns November 2 that the GOC had positively identified
the body of kidnapped Afro-Colombian leader Orlando Valencia.
The official Prosecutor General's Office report on the
subject has not yet been released, he said, but there is no
doubt the body is Valencia.

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Focus on Police, Palm Oil Interests
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3. (C) Franco said the GOC investigation is now focused on
African palm oil farmers and local police. Franco recounted
conversations he had recently with leaders of the Elmer
Cardenas paramilitary bloc, prominent in the Choco
Department, who insisted that they had nothing to do with
either the kidnapping or murder. Franco said he tends to
believe them.

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Comment
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4. (C) The Ambassador raised the importance of a quick,
thorough investigation to capture and prosecute the murderers
with Vice President Santos on October 30. He met with a
delegation of Peace Brigades International on November 4 and
reiterated that the Embassy would continue to press the GOC
for answers.
WOOD