Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAPAZ2506
2006-09-15 19:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:  

VENEZUELAN AND CUBAN INFLUENCE GROWING

Tags:  ECON PGOV PREL BL CU VE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4910
PP RUEHLMC
DE RUEHLP #2506 2581917
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 151917Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0589
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6098
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3415
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7275
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 4530
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1795
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 1833
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 4009
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4430
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 8999
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002506 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL CU VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN AND CUBAN INFLUENCE GROWING


Classified By: DCM Krishna Urs for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 002506

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2016
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL BL CU VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN AND CUBAN INFLUENCE GROWING


Classified By: DCM Krishna Urs for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Two social sector leaders, Rufo Calle and Hugo Vega
(protect),independently told poloff September 14 that
Venezuela and Cuba are increasingly involved in Bolivian
social organizations. Rufo Calle, president of a national
indigenous/labor organization (CSUTCB),said the MAS is
intensifying attempts to buy social sector support with
Venezuelan assistance. He reported that the MAS paid
transportation and per diem for 500 persons to go to Sucre to
"oversee" the Constituent Assembly and that it has taken
control of several indigenous organizations using similar
means. Calle said the MAS knew it could not infiltrate the
CSUTCB, so it caused a faction, also called the CSUTCB, to
splinter off. He claimed the MAS has provided the new
faction with an office, equipment and supplies, he thought
funded by government coffers and/or Venezuela. Calle also
reported the Venezuelan Embassy called him recently to
confirm Venezuela's donation of several vehicles to the
CSUTCB. When the Venezuelan caller realized he had contacted
Calle by mistake (instead of the MAS faction),he abruptly
ended the call.


2. (C) Hugo Vega, the president of a highlands (Altiplano)
neighborhood association, also reported increasing Cuban and
Venezuelan influence in the La Paz department. He said young
MAS leaders are active around Lake Titicaca, and that over
1,000 traveled to Cuba for training. Of that group, 700 were
invited for a return visit. Vega said that since January, the
MAS has been heavily investing government funds in social
sector groups. Additionally, he reported that Cuban
personnel claiming to be doctors are working the Altiplano in
groups of three-- a physician, a sociologist and a political
scientist, he said-- to indoctrinate rural Bolivians. Vega
said the MAS' previous syndicalist style has taken on a more
Cuban flavor, with MAS rural leaders using intimidation
tactics and eavesdropping on campesinos in order to assess
their loyalty.


3. (C) Comment: Both leaders separately said despite the MAS'
dictatorial style, many rural Bolivians living in the
Altiplano support Morales. The comments of both leaders,
however, indicate growing resentment of MAS interference and
the financial support (governmental, Venezuelan or Cuban)
flowing to some grassroots organizations. End comment.
GREENLEE