WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LOUIS POSADA CARRILES?:

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000773

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA, WHA/CCA, AND WHA/CEN
STATE FOR S/CT AND INL/LP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER SNAR PREL PGOV KCRM KJUS SMIG HO
SUBJECT: WHERE IN THE WORLD IS LOUIS POSADA CARRILES?:
CONFLICTING PRESS REPORTS HAVE HIM IN HONDURAS AND MIAMI

1.(U) According to Honduran press March 15, 2005, Cuban
Louis Posada Carriles (AKA Bambi),anti-Castro activist and
alleged drug smuggler and terrorist, has been recently
sighted in San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Contrary press reports in the Miami Herald on April 3 and in
wire services April 11 allege that he is in Miami and plans
to seek political asylum.

2.(U) Although there is no verifiable evidence of his
existence in Honduras, the GOH initiated a search for Posada
in August 2004 after he allegedly arrived in San Pedro Sula
on a private plane from Panama. Honduran President Ricardo
Maduro publicly declared at that time that he knew that
Posada entered the country illegally and the GOH would search
for him throughout the country until he was captured. Maduro
also stated that when Posada was captured, he would be
expelled from the country. It is believed that Posada
entered on a false passport. The GOH investigation and
search for Posada continues, although at this time, GOH
authorities have not been able to find any signs of Posada
and only rumors of his existence and location seem to exist.
Official GOH sources could not confirm the media reports of
any Posada sighting.
Palmer