Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA4746
2007-06-30 20:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

BUENAVENTURA: MILITARY AND CIVILIAN EFFORTS TO

Tags:  PREL PGOV MARR PTER CO 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEBO #4746/01 1812003
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 302003Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6711
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 9133
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JUL LIMA 5205
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 5803
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUETIAA/CSG SOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USDP ADMIN/CHAIRS//
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
-------

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