EX-LABOR LEADERS SAID TO USE ASYLUM IN EUROPE TO

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 000830 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2026 TAGS: ELAB PGOV PHUM PTER CO DA XT KLAB SUBJECT: EX-LABOR LEADERS SAID TO USE ASYLUM IN EUROPE TO FUNNEL MONEY TO FARC Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood. Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) In a meeting on January 24 with LABOFF, leaders from Colombia's largest banker's union and its labor confederation claimed that exiled labor leaders with guerrilla affiliations are behind a Danish T-shirt sales campaign, whose proceeds reportedly are destined for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). End Summary. -------------- -------------- PRO-FARC EXILED LABOR LEADERS TAKE STRUGGLE TO EUROPE -------------- -------------- ¶2. (S) On January 24, LABOFF met with four prominent union leaders, who said extremist elements of the Colombian labor movement are using their asylum status in Europe to promote and raise funds for the guerrilla movement. The union leaders (XXXXXXXXXXXX) claim that many of these asylees were affiliated with the United Confederation of Workers (CUT),Colombia's largest labor confederation. XXXXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXX noted that the CUT is heavily penetrated by extreme leftist unions and elements affiliated with both the FARC and the National Liberation Army (ELN). -------------- -------------- "FUNKY STYLE" OF GUERRILLA COMMANDER INSPIRE T-SHIRTS -------------- -------------- ¶3. (S) According to the labor leaders, these exiled extremists are behind a T-shirt sales campaign, whose proceeds are reportedly destined for the FARC. In early January, a Danish firm, Fighters and Lovers, announced it would donate 5 euros (approximately USD6)to the FARC and the PFLP from each T-shirt sold, to help finance radio stations and graphics workshops run by these groups. The FARC T-shirts contain FARC initials and the image of an AK-47. The PFLP T-shirts also contain that group's initials and two hands pointing an automatic weapon. The website explains that the company is "greatly in debt to the funky outrageous style of Colombian guerrilla commander Jacobo Arenas," states that "young people, unionists, teachers, and even priests have taken up arms to join the biggest guerrilla army Latin America has ever seen: the FARC," and asks, "When was the last time someone told you what you could not wear?" -------------- -------------- CTC LEADER IMPLICATES OIL WORKER'S UNION EX-PRESIDENT -------------- -------------- ¶4. (S) In a follow-up meeting with LABOFF on January 25, XXXXXXXXXXXX said Cesar Carrillo, former president of Ecopetrol's labor union, the Syndicated Union of Workers (USO),was the main driver of the T-shirt campaign. XXXXXXXXXXXX said ELN members allegedly founded USO, and according to XXXXXXXXXXXX, the union still has both ELN and FARC influences. XXXXXXXXXXXX explained that Carrillo sought asylum in Norway approximately five years ago because he had been jailed, and later wanted, by Colombian authorities for terrorist associations. When asked how he knew Carrillo was leading the campaign, XXXXXXXXXXXX said that the information had come from a Dutch labor contact and NGO leader, Lulu de Ven, but said that "many have long known" that exiled labor leaders in Europe actively run a propaganda campaign there against the Government of Colombia. XXXXXXXXXXXX said although ACEB is one of the most leftist-oriented unions in the CTC, it strongly opposes violence and has no sympathy toward its more radical brethren in the CUT. -------------- -------------- EUROPE: AN ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION FOR LABOR EXTREMISTS -------------- -------------- ¶5. (S) XXXXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXX described Europe as a haven for labor leaders with guerrilla sympathies and/or involvement because the "Europeans are well-intentioned, but very gullible." XXXXXXXXXXXX said separately that since Norway granted Carrillo asylum, he has been traveling throughout Europe, particularly in Benelux countries, using his "visibility" and "eloquence" to rail against imperialism and for the nationalization of oil in Colombia, drumming up support for the FARC and ELN. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (S) The charges against the ex-labor leaders in Europe are difficult to confirm. But it is rare for these ideologically diverse leaders to agree. End Comment WOOD