GOE FIRES UPON, DISMANTLES FARC BORDER CAMP

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000471 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014 TAGS: PREL MOPS SNAR PTER EC CO SUBJECT: GOE FIRES UPON, DISMANTLES FARC BORDER CAMP REF: QUITO 00406 Classified By: PolOffJarahnHillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Ecuadorian military units on February 18 encountered and dismantled a FARC encampment in the northern border province of Sucumbios. Two FARC trainees were captured during the raid, along with weapons, ammunition, and other logistical support items. In the wake of the find, Minister of Defense OswaldoJarrin reaffirmed Ecuadorian military commitment to safeguard national sovereignty and prevent FARC infiltration or incursion of any kind. The GOE is clearly eager to answer GOC criticism that the FARC is present and unmolested in Ecuadorian territory. End Summary. FARC Training Camp Dismantled -------------- ¶2. (U) Ecuadorian military units on February 18 briefly exchanged fire (no casualties) with and destroyed a FARC encampment in Santa Rosa, Sucumbios province. The base, located near the site of the January 28 Colombian military incursion, comprised a series of wooden structures with sleeping quarters, kitchens, showers, and some furnishings. GOE forces also found four rifles, hand grenades, explosives, detonators, food, radios, a generator, oxygen tanks, and medication. FARC Trainees Captured -------------- ¶3. (U) Two FARC trainees captured during the raid told Ecuadorian authorities that they were sent to Ecuador to study guerrilla philosophy, armed conflict, the story of Che Guevara, and the principles of the Bolivarian Movement. They are currently being held by Ecuadorian law enforcement authorities in Quito. In a separate operation, seven indigenousCofan Ecuadorian nationals suspected of collaborating with the FARC were also detained and later released by military units in la BarrancaBermeja, Sucumbios. MOD Vows to Protect Sovereignty -------------- ¶4. (U) Minister of Defense OswaldoJarrin on February 20 confirmed the incident had occurred, adding that GOE considers illegal armed elements &a threat to national sovereignty that would be neutralized with force.8 Jarrin said that GOE operations are not conducted jointly with the Colombian military. The MOD again rejected the notion, promoted recently by President Uribe, that illegal armed groups stage attacks against Colombian military units from Ecuador. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) NAS-purchased vehicles were used by the 19th jungle Brigade to move the patrol units into the area and MILGRP donated rations were consumed by soldiers on patrol. USG support for Ecuadorian military, especially at the operational level, is beginning to produce desired outcomes in the border region. While USG resources remain a key ingredient, this uncharacteristically aggressive move was probably motivated by the GOE's desire to demonstrate unequivocal rejection of a FARC presence, in the face of criticism from Colombia. BROWN =======================CABLE ENDS============================