BUENAVENTURA: MILITARY AND CIVILIAN EFFORTS TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 004746 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR PTER CO SUBJECT: BUENAVENTURA: MILITARY AND CIVILIAN EFFORTS TO STEM THE CRISIS REF: BOGOTA 1836 Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Marine and Police reinforcements in Buenaventura have cut homicides from last year's peaks, but violence has rebounded as FARC militias and criminal gangs launched a wave of bombings in response to the security crackdown. In addition, drug traffic has shifted inland, and gangs have recruited minors to evade law enforcement. Aside from battling crime, Marines and Police are promoting community projects to augment social services, create jobs, and help delinquent youth. USAID officers met with military commanders, city officials, and community leaders to find ways to help address the city's socio-economic problems. End Summary. -------------- Security: Progress Brings New Challenges -------------- ¶2. (C) Homicides and bombings, fueled by drug feuds among FARC militia, ex-paramilitaries, and other narco gangs spiked late last year in the primary port of Buenaventura (reftel), but an influx of security personnel cut the murder rate. A Joint Task Force of Marines, Police, and other law enforcement (DAS, CTI) boosted their forces early this year, beefing up patrolling and detaining many gang leaders. 927 criminals were captured by mid-May. Murder rates fell to historical norms in the first quarter (see table),and intelligence indicated many coca shipments were blocked by coastal patrols. Police data indicated the drug trade migrated from the city center to the mainland; they believe a continued heavy presence could drive out drugs in the long term. Mayor Saulo Quinones told us 75 percent of Buenaventura's homicides were targeted hits among competing narcotraffickers. -------------- (C) Homicides in Buenaventura -------------- Month / year Number -------------- -------------- May '06 26 June '06 33 July '06 32 August '06 31 September '06 31 October '06 17 November '06 48 December '06 60 January '07 41 February '07 25 March '07 28 April '07 40 ¶3. (C) Still, the success in reducing homicides was shortlived, as security forces' actions prompted a violent backlash. Large drug seizures and criminal captures sparked a wave of reprisal homicides in April, as gangs killed presumed informants. The murder count for 2007 reached 230 by late June. Attacks with explosives and grenades continued, mostly targeted at the police but often injuring innocents. Police Chief Moreno said a mid-April bombing that destroyed police headquarters in Cali was punishment for police actions in Buenaventura. A total of 11 bombs exploded over the June 22-24 weekend, killing three and wounding at least 30. These were attributed to either FARC retaliation for a key captured militia leader or to reconstituted paramilitary criminal networks. No American citizens have been victims. ¶4. (C) Criminal groups have also adapted their tactics. Some gangs who could not move their coca out of Buenaventura hoarded it, and extortion rose as criminals sought alternative income. FARC militias replaced arrested local leaders with experienced commanders from the interior. Other gangs began recruiting more teens to attack Police. Minors are harder to prosecute, and Police hesitate to return fire against them. Marine commanders said their initial estimate that a three-month surge would be sufficient to bring order to Buenaventura was wishful thinking. This will be a long deployment. On June 19, DEA Regional Director met with Vice President Santos, who endorsed the establishment of a DEA supported cellular telephone intercept facility dedicated to interception of Pacific Coast drug trafficking groups. President Uribe held a communal council focused on security in Buenaventura on June 30. -------------- Social Welfare: Military Fills a Void -------------- ¶5. (C) Marines and Police have started community programs in some slum areas, providing some relief without waiting for longer-term urban renewal. The Marines' 24 initiatives include civics lessons to youth, corporate sponsored aid to schools, and sports programs. The Marines also support an association of outside companies that funds city projects like parks and libraries. The Police are also focused on youth delinquency. In addition to high school counseling programs, they proposed a juvenile shelter for 2,000-3,000 minors at risk of joining criminal gangs. The GOC is considering the proposal. The city government plans to resettle residents living in the worst barrios to mainland public housing. This idea, modeled on cities like Guayaquil, has been proposed to the World Bank, Andean Development Corporation (CAF),and GOC. A shortage of local funding, endemic corruption, and a change of Mayor in October elections make it unlikely the plan will move ahead soon. -------------- Jobs: Seeding Small Businesses -------------- ¶6. (U) The Marines and the Mayor have also launched initiatives to support small enterprises. The Marines arranged a meeting between supermarket chain Carrefour and 92 small producers to generate supply contracts, but the family businesses were unable to meet demand. The Marines will send 50 young adults in 2007 to a national occupational training site (SENA) in Medellin to learn basic business skills, visit local industries, and gain exposure to Medellin's entrepreneurial culture. Buenaventura is also a pilot city for the July start of the Network Against Extreme Poverty, a presidential micro-credit program. The Mayor also has plans for a mainland business park, a platform for light industry and a transport hub. The concept calls for construction to be funded by private sector tenants, but the city would have to make massive infrastructure upgrades. Funds have not been identified. -------------- The View from the Barrios -------------- ¶7. (U) Community leaders from poor neighborhoods said most of their constituents were victims of narcotrafficking. They were unfairly stigmatized by other Colombians, and their situation had deteriorated sharply over last 18 months. The leaders supported the security forces but resented the "militarization" of their streets and criticized the police for timidity against gangsters and rough treatment of residents. Citing quick releases of detained gang members, they questioned the ability of the legal system to prosecute criminals. Many residents feared retribution for helping police. Leaders supported the resettlement of residents of coastal slums on three conditions: provision of social services (especially utilities now denied to squatters), jobs, and estuary access to the sea for fishermen. Community leaders have little faith the October municipal elections will help, calling local politicians self-serving and corrupt. -------------- Embassy Looking to Help -------------- ¶8. (C) On June 20 Embassy officers met with the city's Marines, Police, Mayor, and community leaders to discuss ways to extend US aid to Buenaventura in coordination with the GOC and other international donors. Preliminary discussions suggested potential areas of cooperation could include aid to civil society and/or Afro-Colombian welfare, as well as alternative development and small business projects. The U.S. Military Group will work with Marines and Police to fund small, direct-impact projects like water supply or schools. The USNS Comfort -- scheduled to visit Buenaventura in August -- will offer free medical care to thousands of residents and will repair the city hospital. USAID will also hold a forum in Buenaventura to advise applicants on drafting project grant proposals. Contractors' safety will be a critical consideration. Drucker