SUCRE, NEW SPACES OPENING POST PARAMILITARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 002464 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2017 TAGS: KJUS PGOV PINR PREL PTER CO SUBJECT: SUCRE, NEW SPACES OPENING POST PARAMILITARY DEMOBILIZATION REF: 06 BOGOTA 10596 Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Our March 26-27 visit to Sucre showed a department starting to recover from years of paramilitary domination and economic decline. The paramilitary demobilization--and increased GOC security presence--has provided a growing sense of security, allowing displaced people to return to their homes, opening new space for political parties and civil society, and spurring economic growth. The para-politics scandal--three Sucre national legislators and four departmental legislators are in preventive detention--has reduced corruption, but traditional political caudillos remain strong. Few predict candidates backed by jailed Senator Alvaro "Gordo" Garcia will lose in the October regional elections. Lack of jobs and low education levels leave people vulnerable to manipulation by illegal groups and corrupt politicians. End summary. -------------- New Political Space and Economic Growth Post Paramilitary Demobilization -------------- ¶2. (C) Ombudsman Oscar Herrera said the dismantling of the paramilitary network after the July 2005 demobilization of the Montes de Maria Bloc--which conducted a four year reign of terror in the region--has led to the opening of new space for political parties and civil society. We met with several victims' and displaced persons groups in the urban center of San Onofre municipality, a former paramilitary killing ground, who loudly complained about the local mayor, Catholic Bishop and other departmental authorities. Several participants told us they would run on the leftwing Polo Democratico ticket in the October regional elections. Herrera said the general sense of safety in the region has also allowed people to return to their homes. We passed through several ghost towns near San Onofre, such as Chinolito, that are slowly recovering with the return of their residents. Herrera told us he almost never went to San Onofre from 1997-2005, even though his parents live there, due to fear of the paramilitaries. ¶3. (C) First Brigade Commander Col. Bautista Carcamo and Police Commander Col. Jorge Rodriguez confirmed the paramilitary demobilization and the increased Public Forces' presence have improved security. There are now four police substations--each with 40 personnel--in the San Onofre municipality where there was previously only one. Roads connecting Sucre with other departments have been reopened, boosting tourism. The heavy pressure on criminal groups and increased security in strategic corridors have reduced drug trafficking. The Public Forces maintain a network of 25,000 civilian volunteers (red de cooperantes) who report suspicious movements or individuals to the authorities. Marine Major Carlos Jaramillo said the increased security has forced the FARC to retreat deeper into the Montes Maria over the last two year. Cattle Ranchers Federation (FEGASUCRE) President Gabriel de la Ossa said improved security has led cattle ranchers to return to their lands and spurred economic activity. ¶4. (C) CTI Director Manuel Hernandez, who is leading efforts to uncover mass graves throughout Sucre, said most of the information he has obtained has come from demobilized paramilitaries. So far, Hernandez said his group has found 14 mass graves and recovered 159 bodies. They have completed four DNA tests, leading to the identification of the victims, and identified an additional 10 victims through their clothing. Hernandez said he still has to find over 130 bodies since paramilitary records indicate 280 persons were killed around San Onofre. Still, his work is hampered by a lack of proper technology and equipment. We visited El Palmar Ranch where most of the mass graves have been found. Hernandez explained ex-paramilitary leader Rodrigo Cadena simply seized the 10,000 hectare ranch, which was owned by a wealthy Cartagena family too afraid to visit the region, and used it as his center of operations. -------------- Residents Remain Vulnerable -------------- ¶5. (C) Sincelejo's Bishop Nel Beltran and Herrera said the lack of jobs and low education levels still leave people vulnerable to illegal groups and corrupt politicians. Beltran emphasized the need to strengthen local institutions--as well as the local branches of national agencies such as the Prosecutor General's Office--as a counterbalance to the pressure from corrupt and/or illegal actors. FEGASUCRE President de la Ossa agreed, stressing the need for immediate social change. He said traditional cattle ranchers have mistreated their employees and paid them poorly. FEGASUCRE is mounting an effort to convince traditional ranchers to modernize their operations and improve working conditions. ¶6. (C) Herrera said he has seen no evidence of new criminal groups, such as the Aguilas Negras, operating in Sucre, but is aware of individuals trying to recruit former paramilitaries to join criminal groups elsewhere. Col. Rodriguez said ex-paras who participate in illegal activities are common criminals who operate individually. There are no signs of organized, new criminal groups. Still, CTI Hernandez said some mid-level ex-para leaders stayed behind to maintain control of strategic corridors and/or the drug business. The Police recently captured in Corozal one of Jorge 40's closest allies, AKA "Zambrano," who confessed he had orders from Jorge 40 to reorganize a group. ¶7. (C) Afro-Colombian Victims Organization in San Onofre leader Jackline Moguea said the years of war in San Onofre have left many scars. A victim's representative claimed they are still being targeted by new illegal actors, but provided no examples. Herrera said the emergence of new groups, such as Moguera's victims organization, is positive, but is generating some tension within the community. For example, Moguera's group--in part due to its ties with the National Victims Movement--refuses to cooperate with the National Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (CNRR). Bishop Beltran acknowledged the hostile attitude of Moguera and other victims' groups in San Onofre toward the CNRR, but said the Church is helping the Commission's new regional office in Sincelejo to gain people's confidence. Victims' high expectations for the CNRR--many expected to receive immediate cash benefits--have led to disappointment. People do not understand the CNRR's limited resources, capacity, and mandate. -------------- Para-Politics and October Local Elections -------------- ¶8. (C) Col. Rodriguez said the para-politics scandal has been positive for Sucre, helping reduce corruption and creating an opportunity for new political forces to challenge the traditional political elite in October. To date, three national congressmen and four departmental legislators--including the president and vice-president of the departmental assembly--are in jail. Police have also detained San Onofre Notary Official Ivan Ricardo Palomino Botero, charged with falsifying documents and facilitating illegal land titling, and additional arrests of local politicians are expected. Herrera said the arrest and jailing of Senator Alvaro "Gordo" Garcia--Sucre's most powerful caudillo--shattered the air of impunity surrounding him and other traditional politicians (in November 2006, Garcia was charged with conspiracy to commit criminal activity, aggravated homicide and embezzlement). He noted the Polo Democratico will run candidates in much of Sucre. FEGASUCRE President de la Ossa told us he is encouraging a previously apolitical businessman to run for governor. ¶9. (C) Still, Bishop Beltran and Herrera are not confident the cracks in the traditional political elite will translate into wholesale change. They said Senator Garcia's political network--based on patronage and corruption--remains largely intact with a steady stream of Sucre mayors and other local officials visiting him in prison. Given Sucre's widespread poverty, Herrera said many would still be tempted to sell their votes. Beltran voiced skepticism the Registrar's Office has the capacity to combat fraud and intimidation. He added that the growing political polarization in Sucre and Colombia would also help Garcia. Without a clear call for change by President Uribe and his supporters, it would be difficult to break the power of corrupt, local political chieftains. Drucker