CHANGING TACTICS:EXPLOSIVE DEVICES FOUND IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 003847

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2015
TAGS: SNAR ASEC PREL PE
SUBJECT: CHANGING TACTICS:EXPLOSIVE DEVICES FOUND IN
ERADICATION FIELDS

Classified By: SUSAN KEOGH, NAS DIRECTOR, Embassy Lima. Reason 1.5 (d)


1. (C) Summary: Between August 27-31, a total of 9
explosive devices were found by police and CORAH eradicators
in the field during operations in the Santa Rosa area near
Santa Lucia. One CORAH worker was hit and hospitalized when
he triggered a device but the injuries were not
life-threatening. This is the latest adjustment in tactics
by the cocaleros in the Santa Lucia -Upper Huallaga area, who
have mounted particularly violent and militant opposition to
eradication. Cocaleros in this region previously attacked
police helicopters. Police state they have found leaflets
with instructions on how to prepare such booby traps
indicating narco-terrorism may be involved. Operations are
continuing with a commitment from the PNP to deploy
explosives teams with canines to sweep eradication areas
prior to and during operations. End Summary.


2. (C) On August 27, at the ongoing eradication operation
in the area of Santa Rosa, near Santa Lucia in the Upper
Huallaga, a CORAH worker sustained injuries to the face and
chest as a result of a small explosive device detonating.
The explosive device had been planted near the roots of the
coca plant that the worker was attempting to extract. He was
evacuated via helicopter to Santa Lucia and subsequently to
Pucallpa hospital for medical treatment. The injuries were
not life-threatening and he is recovering. On the same day,
the CORAH workers found another explosive device that went
off but caused no injury. A subsequent sweep of the area
revealed 4 additional explosive devices and a booby trap
utilizing a shotgun.


3. (C) On August 30, 3 similar explosive devices were
located in the same general eradication area. NAS has asked
the PNP to hold these devices for expert analysis. They
appear to contain dynamite and are operated by a battery that
triggers an explosion when disturbed by contact. While it is
speculative to say cocaleros in league with narco-terrorists
are responsible, the police report they have found leaflets
with instructions on how to prepare such devices. We are in
close contact with the police to ascertain who is responsible
for planting these booby traps.


4. (C) Eradication is continuing apace in the Santa Rosa
area. In coordination with NAS, the PNP is assigning
explosives teams with canines to the operations. Areas to be
eradicated will routinely be swept prior to and during
operations. DIRANDRO will continue to incorporate DIRCOTE
(anti-terrorist police) and DINOPES Special Ops police to
support eradication and interdiction efforts. On September
5, the 6,000 hectare mark was passed for eradication.


5. (C) Comment: In a clear break from the past, elements
linked to coca cultivation and production in the Upper
Huallaga - cocaleros, narco-traffickers and subversive groups
- are changing tactics to counter more aggressive eradication
on the part of the Peruvian Government. In recent memory,
cocaleros have not sabotaged their fields in this way. The
ambush on NAS helicopters in April was the opening salvo in a
stepped up campaign to drive out government presence from
this area of increasing coca cultivation. Direct links
between Sendero Luminoso and narco-trafficking continue to
emerge: police confirm destroying numerous cocaine-base
laboratories and adjacent fields owned by individuals with
links to SL.


6. (C) Comment continued: As we continue to successfully
eradicate and carry out interdiction operations in socially
conflictive areas, aggressive actions such as the explosive
devices are expected to increase. Threat assessments and
increasing security measures will continue in our efforts to
protect personnel and equipment. The information about
instructions for making the crude explosive devices leads to
the conclusion that Sendero Luminosa may be giving the
example and motivating the cocaleros. In the past,
aggressive actions such as laying explosive devices would
likely have resulted in the suspension of operations and we
are encouraged by the police resolve, which we believe will
continue under despite current changes in the police
leadership.

STRUBLE