Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BOGOTA11162
2006-12-12 13:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
MAYORS UNDER FIRE FOR MISMANAGEMENT, CORRUPTION IN
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UNCLAS BOGOTA 011162
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PINR PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: MAYORS UNDER FIRE FOR MISMANAGEMENT, CORRUPTION IN
TWO LARGE CITIES
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS BOGOTA 011162
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PINR PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: MAYORS UNDER FIRE FOR MISMANAGEMENT, CORRUPTION IN
TWO LARGE CITIES
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. Mayors in Cali and Barranquilla are under fire for
alleged mismanagement and corruption. On December 4, the
Procuraduria ordered Cali mayor Apolinar Salcedo removed from
office and prohibited him from holding public office for 16
years. In Barranquilla, a court placed mayor Guillermo
Hoenigsberg under house arrest for corruption. End summary.
--------------
Cali Mayor Fired, Claims Racism
--------------
2. On December 4, the Procuraduria (Inspector General's
Office) ordered Cali mayor Apolinar Salcedo removed from
office and banned him from holding public office for 16
years. The Procuraduria accused Salcedo of mismanagement of
the tender and award of a public contract for collecting city
taxes. Salcedo's municipal finance director, Maria del
Rodario Pena, was also dismissed and barred from
holding office for 10 years for similar accusations.
Following an investigation into the tax issue, the Fiscalia
(Prosecutor General's office) recently announced it would not
prosecute Salcedo.
3. Salcedo, who is blind and one of the highest ranking
elected Afro-Colombians, immediately said he would appeal the
Procuraduria's decision. He told the press on December 5 he
will not resign, and claimed he was being attacked by people
who do not approve of "his blindness and his color." Asked
about Salcedo's charge, Vice President Francisco Santos said
that grounds existed to dismiss the mayor. To date, no
Afro-Colombian leaders have supported Salcedo's assertion of
racism.
4. Salcedo appealed the ruling to a Procuraduria appellate
commission. If it is upheld, Salcedo could appeal to an
administrative tribunal, but would have to leave office
immediately. The administrative tribunal appeal could take
years to resolve.
5. Daily "El Tiempo" reported on December 5 that Salcedo's
popularity had been falling sharply in Cali; about 70 percent
now disapprove of his tenure, with 43 percent saying, "he had
not done anything." In March, Salcedo overcame a recall
effort when numerous signatures were struck from the recall
petition for alleged fraud.
--------------
Barranquilla Mayor Under House Arrest
--------------
6. On December 2, an appeal court placed mayor Guillermo
Hoenigsberg under house arrest as part of criminal proceeding
for cost overruns on the renovation of Barranquilla's City
Hall. Hoenigsberg is being investigated for embezzlement and
public contract fraud.
WOOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PINR PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: MAYORS UNDER FIRE FOR MISMANAGEMENT, CORRUPTION IN
TWO LARGE CITIES
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. Mayors in Cali and Barranquilla are under fire for
alleged mismanagement and corruption. On December 4, the
Procuraduria ordered Cali mayor Apolinar Salcedo removed from
office and prohibited him from holding public office for 16
years. In Barranquilla, a court placed mayor Guillermo
Hoenigsberg under house arrest for corruption. End summary.
--------------
Cali Mayor Fired, Claims Racism
--------------
2. On December 4, the Procuraduria (Inspector General's
Office) ordered Cali mayor Apolinar Salcedo removed from
office and banned him from holding public office for 16
years. The Procuraduria accused Salcedo of mismanagement of
the tender and award of a public contract for collecting city
taxes. Salcedo's municipal finance director, Maria del
Rodario Pena, was also dismissed and barred from
holding office for 10 years for similar accusations.
Following an investigation into the tax issue, the Fiscalia
(Prosecutor General's office) recently announced it would not
prosecute Salcedo.
3. Salcedo, who is blind and one of the highest ranking
elected Afro-Colombians, immediately said he would appeal the
Procuraduria's decision. He told the press on December 5 he
will not resign, and claimed he was being attacked by people
who do not approve of "his blindness and his color." Asked
about Salcedo's charge, Vice President Francisco Santos said
that grounds existed to dismiss the mayor. To date, no
Afro-Colombian leaders have supported Salcedo's assertion of
racism.
4. Salcedo appealed the ruling to a Procuraduria appellate
commission. If it is upheld, Salcedo could appeal to an
administrative tribunal, but would have to leave office
immediately. The administrative tribunal appeal could take
years to resolve.
5. Daily "El Tiempo" reported on December 5 that Salcedo's
popularity had been falling sharply in Cali; about 70 percent
now disapprove of his tenure, with 43 percent saying, "he had
not done anything." In March, Salcedo overcame a recall
effort when numerous signatures were struck from the recall
petition for alleged fraud.
--------------
Barranquilla Mayor Under House Arrest
--------------
6. On December 2, an appeal court placed mayor Guillermo
Hoenigsberg under house arrest as part of criminal proceeding
for cost overruns on the renovation of Barranquilla's City
Hall. Hoenigsberg is being investigated for embezzlement and
public contract fraud.
WOOD