GENERAL GOMEZ'S REPLACEMENT NAMED

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 008485 SIPDIS DEPARTEMENT FOR INL/LP AND WHA/AND E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2010 TAGS: KCRM PGOV PREL PTER SNAR CO SUBJECT: GENERAL GOMEZ'S REPLACEMENT NAMED (C) The head of Colombia's National Police (CNP) has named Brigadier General Jorge Alirio BARON Leguizamon to be the head of Colombia's counternarcotics police (DIRAN in Spanish),replacing current incumbent Brigadier General Luis Alberto GOMEZ Heredia, effective September 15. While not well known to the Embassy, General Baron has a good reputation within the CNP, and we expect to be able to work well with him. One of his primary challenges will be managing competing requests for personnel and resources under his command. His most recent command positions have been in the area of administration and finances. The incumbent, General Gomez, is being transferred to head up the important Bogota Metropolitan Police. WOOD