GOC CONCENTRATES EX-PARAMILITARY DETAINEES IN LA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 009376

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2016
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PINR PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: GOC CONCENTRATES EX-PARAMILITARY DETAINEES IN LA
CEJA

REF: BOGOTA 7911

Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer.
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)

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Summary
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1. (C) Rodrigo Tovar Pupo (AKA "Jorge 40") and Freddy Rendon
Herrera (AKA "El Aleman) were among four former AUC leaders
that President Uribe ordered to be transported to La Ceja
October 10. They joined 26 other former AUC representative
figures and 34 rank and file members concentrated there. The
GOC has strengthened security measures at La Ceja and the
police expect to hand over control of the facility to the
national prison authority in the next few days. End summary.

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Consolidation at La Ceja
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2. (C) On October 10, the GOC transported four former
paramilitary leaders to La Ceja from locations throughout
Colombia, including alias Jorge 40 and alias El Aleman. The
transfer was, in part, a response to the revelations of Jorge
40's reported on-going links to murders, political
corruption, and fraud. By moving Jorge 40 out of Cesar, the
GOC will find it easier to control his actions and to rebut
media criticism that the ex-paras continue to operate in
their areas of influence without restrictions. The GOC has
now consolidated all currently detained leaders in La Ceja;
within the next week the national prison authority (INPEC)
will assume administration of the facility from the national
police (CNP).


3. (C) A national police (CNP) reports the GOC has recently
boosted security measures at La Ceja, including raising
walls, adding access controls, and creating stronger internal
compound patrols. The CNP has 35 police officers inside La
Ceja to cover the 60 demobilized paramilitaries located there
(septel),and an additional 60 personnel in the surrounding
area, including 17 professional officers at a police station
close to the compound. Ten security points surround the
perimeter and there is a guard in every hall where the rooms
of the ex-paramilitaries are located. In addition, the main
paramilitary leaders and the six extraditable members have a
police officer with them at all times.


4. (C) Police said the ex-paramilitaries comply with a
schedule that involves early rising and completion of chores.
They also participate in educational courses and three
projects within the compound, including carpentry, the
construction of a barn, and fish farming. Each
ex-paramilitary member has a room for himself, which includes
a twin bed, desk, chairs, television, computer, refrigerator,
coffee maker, and books. Visitors are allowed during to
specific times with permission from the Peace Commissioner's
Office.

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CNP Concerns
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5. (C) The CNP noted the ex-paramilitaries were never a
homogeneous group, and rivalries could burst into the open at
La Ceja. The CNP also recommended that GOC personnel
associated with La Ceja be changed frequently to prevent
corruption.

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Community Organizes
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6. (C) DIPOL analysts told us local residents of La Ceja
created a committee composed of representatives from local
government, parish clergy, labor unions, and three

ex-paramilitary leaders, in response to complaints that local
authorities were never consulted about turning La Ceja into a
detention center. Other community concerns included the rise
in the number of people and vehicles in the city and the
increased potential for terrorist attacks by the FARC or ELN
against the center or surrounding areas. Residents saw some
positives from the increased attention: more police, lower
crime, especially homicide, and more business opportunities.



7. (C) Local officials said the media outcry that the
relatives of the ex-paramilitaries were buying many
properties in La Ceja was misplaced. Rather, they explained,
some family members had rented properties nearby. The CNP
confirmed that 10 ex-paramilitary leaders' family members had
rented property, including relatives of Ramiro Vanoy, Ramon
Isaza, Carlos Mario Jimenez, and Juan Carlos Sierra.

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OAS Role
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8. (C) OAS observers told us they visit the compound almost
daily, on an unofficial basis. The OAS said conditions at La
Ceja were "dignified, serious, and austere," as president
Uribe had insisted, especially compared with the "luxuries
and comforts8 the ex-paramilitary leaders were accustomed
to. He said the ex-paramilitary leaders, morale was low;
since they do not have many people to talk to, they
constantly complain to him about their personal situations.
We understand OAS/MAP director Sergio Caramagna and Peace
Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo made peace after their
public confrontations in August (reftel),and that Caramagna
hopes Restrepo will officially ask the OAS to monitor the
situation inside La Ceja.

WOOD