FARC ATTACK ON FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IN LA GUAJIRA

S E C R E T BOGOTA 007485 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2016 TAGS: PTER PGOV EINV ENRG VE CO SUBJECT: FARC ATTACK ON FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IN LA GUAJIRA Classified By: DCM Milton Drucker for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On August 14, 2006 at approximately 0230 hours, the 59th Front of the FARC attacked a fuel distribution outlet in Guajira close to the Colombian/Venezuelan border. The attack was launched using gas cylinder bombs, destroying 85 fuel trucks and 15 other vehicles, and reportedly injuring 8 individuals. Many of the trucks -- which have a capacity of 15,000-23,000 gallons -- were loaded with fuel causing a ripple effect to the explosions. Mauricio Salgar, Chief Operating officer of Colombia's state petroleum company Ecopetrol, told econoff that the trucks have a total replacement value of USD 5.3 million. ¶2. (C) Salgar added that until the fuel trucks can be replaced, Chevron and other third parties would send vehicles to keep gasoline flowing in the region. According to press reports, following an August 15 meeting with Colombian Foreign Minister Araujo, Venezuelan President Chavez pledged to replace the trucks. ¶3. (S) The fuel cooperative -- "Cooperative Ayatawacoop" -- is owned by the Ayatawa indigenous community, and has reported financial links to the AUC paramilitary organization. According to press reports, this cooperative is a "cash cow" for the AUC. Colombian military and police intelligence services report that the FARC 59th Front carried out the attack. They noted that the Commander of the Front was under pressure by FARC Secretariat member Ivan Marquez to step up operations against infrastructure targets in La Guajira. The FARC confirmed their responsibility for this attack in a press statement, accusing the cooperative of being a financial front for the AUC. This is the second such attack on this cooperative, which is located in an isolated stretch of highway between Maicao and the Venezuelan border. A previous attack in May 2005 was thwarted by the AUC and resulted in no known damage. ¶4. (U) Ayatawacoop is one of 11 cooperatives jointly licensed by Ecopetrol and Venezuela's PDVSA to import fuel from Venezuela for distribution in the border region. It was started three years ago to stem the tide of smuggled gas from Venezuela. The fuel is purchased in Maracaibo at reduced prices and then distributed to the 11 cooperatives for sale to retail outlets throughout the region. WOOD