Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06QUITO471
2006-02-22 23:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:
GOE FIRES UPON, DISMANTLES FARC BORDER CAMP
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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)
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============================
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============================