SWIFT RESPONSE REPELS FARC ATTACK ON TORIBIO, CAUCA

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003914

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INL AND WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PTER MOPS CO FARC
SUBJECT: SWIFT RESPONSE REPELS FARC ATTACK ON TORIBIO, CAUCA
DEPARTMENT


1. Summary: GOC forces repelled an attack by 300-400 members of
the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on the town of
Toribio, Cauca Department. The early morning attack on April 14
was repelled initially by the 82-man Municipal Police detachment
that had been armed and equipped with USG support. The GOC's
rapid response and ability to reinforce the police garrison by air
prevented the FARC from over-running the town. End summary.


2. On April 14, 2005, approximately 300-400 members of the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) attacked the town of
Toribio, (Cauca Department). Two police and one civilian were
killed in the initial assault, while six police and 27 civilians
were wounded. The FARC apparently used pre-positioned weapons and
explosives, including gas cylinders, to launch their dawn attack.
The local police station, which was one of the municipal stations
reinforced and equipped through the Embassy's Police Re-
establishment in Conflicted Zones program, was an apparent target.
The police garrison immediately contacted Colombian National
Police (CNP) headquarters in Bogota. The CNP and the Colombian
Air Force (COLAF) reacted swiftly, dispatching aircraft and
reinforcements to the town.


3. After the initial assault, FARC guerrillas, including snipers,
took up positions in farmhouses, a school, and the local hospital
-- targets upon which the COLAF's AC-47 gunship and the CNP's UH-
60 gun-ships could not fire. The COLAF also flew in a company
from the Colombian Army's (COLAR) Third Brigade and the CNP flew
in a Carabinero Mobile Squadron police and Antinarcotics Police
(DIRAN) Jungla Commandos. CNP Director General Castro arrived in
Toribio later in the day to direct the counterattack that
ultimately drove the FARC from the town.


4. President Uribe visited Toribio the following day and
criticized the FARC's killing of civilians and use civilian sites,
such as the town's hospital, as shields from which they continued
their attack. The FARC harassed Toribio again on April 17,
causing several more civilian, army and police deaths and
injuries.


5. CNP Director General Castro and other CNP officials personally
conveyed their thanks to the USG for US assistance provided both
before and during the attack. The fortification of the municipal
police station and armaments and equipment provided to the Toribio
detachment enabled the force to withstand the initial assault
until reinforcements arrived. Those reinforcements included USG-
trained Caribineros and Antinarcotics Police Airmobile Special
Forces (Junglas) who were transported on CNP aircraft supported by
INL and flown by USG-trained pilots.
WOOD