MINDEF'S RESIGNATION SURPRISES MANY

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002173 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014 TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS SNAR PTER EC CO SUBJECT: MINDEF'S RESIGNATION SURPRISES MANY REF: A. QUITO 02152 ¶B. QUITO 02151 Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Minister of Defense Oswaldo Jarrin resigned on August 28, citing disagreement with unspecified aspects of relations with Colombia and defending Ecuadorian military participation in the anti-narcotics fight. Jarrin's surprise departure has generated much speculation about the reasons behind the resignation here, ranging from his sensitivity to criticism of his recent defense "white paper" to Jarrin's discontent over a weak GOE response to the Puerto Nuevo mortar incident which left three civilians wounded (Ref A). Jarrin has publicly refuted the latter as his motive; he maintains that unnamed elements opposed to military counter-narcotics efforts forced his exit. Foreign Minister Francisco Carrion publicly supported Jarrin, and denied any disagreement over Jarrin's white paper. President Palacio immediately appointed retired general Marcelo Delgado, who has ties to former president Leon Febres Cordero (PSC),as Jarrin's successor. On taking office Delgado pledged to continue the fight against narcotics trafficking but said he would need to review Jarrin's "white paper." End Summary. Surprise Resignation -------------- ¶2. (C) Immediately after briefing reporters on the status of the accidental Colombian mortar incident, Jarrin abruptly resigned on August 28. In doing so, Jarrin told reporters that unspecified "diverse" sectors had failed to fully comprehend his efforts, especially as they relate to relations with Colombia and the Ecuadorian military's involvement in fighting narcotrafficking. In the wake of the resignation, military officers close to Jarrin told us that Jarrin and Palacio had disagreed over the handling of the August 28 Puerto Nuevo incident, with Jarrin advocating a stronger GOE response. Palacio allegedly gave Jarrin an (unspecified) ultimatum, and Jarrin chose to resign rather than comply. ¶3. (U) On August 29, Jarrin publicly elaborated on his motives for leaving office, refuting speculation he had resigned over the handling of the Puerto Nuevo incident. Instead, he implied his exit was forced by unnamed opponents of military's counter-narcotics efforts. "It seems that in this country those who occupy illicit businesses have more allies than those worried about security of the State", Jarrin told the press. Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco Carrion on August 29 also denied rumors that Jarrin's resignation was the result of a weak diplomatic response to the Puerto Nuevo incident. Going further, Carrion claimed relations between the Defense and Foreign ministries had been "impeccable," and expressed his personal admiration for Jarrin as "a true professional and patriot." GOC Response to Mortar Incident Still Pending -------------- ¶4. (U) The MFA formally protested the August 24 Puerto Nuevo mortar incident by note to the GOC on August 25. The note called for the Colombian government to explain their actions, compensate victims, and adopt measures to avoid future activity in their territory that might negatively impact the lives and property of Ecuadorians, and confirmed that the mortar originated in Colombian territory. ¶5. (U) Colombian Ambassador to Ecuador, Carlos Holguin, on August 28 claimed the shooting was not premeditated by the GOC and alleged the FARC had fired the round. An Ecuadorian military investigation, however, found that the mortar was a type used by the Colombian military, and Jarrin repeated this claim at a press conference immediately before resigning. Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos on August 28 publicly lamented the accidental mortar incident and said that the GOC would respond via diplomatic channels soon. New Defense Minister an LFC Man -------------- ¶6. (U) Palacio swore in retired general Marcelo Delgado Alvear as Minister of Defense late on August 28. Delgado said that he would strengthen the armed forces, work towards moving pending military reforms through the Ecuadorian Congress, and that he would protect Ecuadorian national sovereignty in accordance with diplomatic and inter-institutional agreements that mark territorial respect between neighboring countries. He committed to continued collaboration with the Ecuadorian National Police in the anti-narcotics fight, noting that together the two institutions have already had great success. Delgado on August 29 told the press that it would be necessary to make unspecified revisions to Jarrin's "white paper." ¶7. (U) Delgado served as the Ecuadorian Military Attache to the United States, Section Chief of the Military Heads of the Joint Chiefs, Commander of the Special Forces, Director and professor of national security at Ecuador's Army War College, Army Intelligence Director, and Director for Military Security at the Presidential Palace (1984-1988, under then-president Febres Cordero). Delgado has served as president for a major security firm (Security Systems Consultants and Auditors),a flower grower/exporter (CULVAR S.A.),and a company specializing in sale of products derived from petroleum (OPOR S.A.). Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) Jarrin's unexpected resignation is a real loss for Ecuador and has left many searching for answers. We remain in the dark about the details of his run-in with Palacio, but now suspect other motives behind Jarrin's exit. Jarrin's suggestion that pro-narco elements may have had a hand in his departure casts doubt over his replacement's commitment to Jarrin's strategic vision (largely shared by us) to restructure and target the military to fight the narco threat here. We will engage Delgado to encourage him along the right path, and defer our judgment until it can be based on his actions as minister. JEWELL