COLOMBIA PREPARES FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS FREE FROM

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 005431 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR WHA/AND AND USOAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER PREF CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIA PREPARES FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS FREE FROM INTERFERENCE BY ILLEGAL ARMED GROUPS REF: A. BOGOTA 5116 ¶B. BOGOTA 2102 Classified By: CDA Milton Drucker - Reasons 1.5 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The GOC and political parties are working to prevent the interference of illegal armed groups (FARC, ELN, new criminal groups) in the October elections for governors, mayors, and other local officials. A recent independent study concluded that 328 of Colombia's 1099 municipalities are at risk for election irregularities, including 13 north coast municipalities at high risk. National election officials are vetting candidates, transferring local registrars, creating election managers and quick reaction teams, and increasing candidates' protection to safeguard the process. They are also urging the OAS to finalize its election observation plans. The USG is supporting domestic observation efforts and monitoring conditions in at-risk areas. End summary. Improved Prospects for Open Elections ====================================== ¶2. (C) Political parties from across the spectrum are running candidates for office throughout the country. The leftist Polo Democratico party is exploiting the political space created by the paramilitary demobilization and the parapolitical scandal to run candidates in previous paramilitary strongholds such as Sucre, Cordoba and Cesar departments. Polo Secretary General Daniel Garcia Pena told us the Polo does not expect to win many races in these areas, but said the para-political scandal has given the Polo a chance to establish a base. Polo president Carlos Gaviria said regardless of the outcome, the fact that Polo candidates are running in ex-para zones is significant. The Problem of Illegal Armed Groups =================================== ¶3. (C) Continuing FARC violence and the para-political scandal, which has so far landed 13 members of Congress, two governors and other local officials in jail, shows the importance of safeguarding the October elections from interference by illegal armed groups (IAGs). In previous elections, observers noted localized intimidation, violence, and corruption from narco-traffickers, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC),the National Liberation Army (ELN),and the United Self-Defense Forces (AUC). Recent FARC murders of eleven Valle de Cauca assemblymen, a mayor, and two town councilmen (Ref A) was a reminder that IAGs continue to pose a threat to elections and democratic institutions. The independent Electoral Observation Mission (MOE),which receives some funding from USAID, released a study on July 17 identifying 328 of Colombia's 1099 municipalities as at risk in October, with 13 north coast municipalities considered to be high risk, 42 medium risk, and 273 low risk. GOC Efforts to "Armor" Elections ================================ ¶4. (C) The GOC and political parties have taken numerous steps to protect the October elections including: --Political parties from across the political spectrum are taking steps to insulate the elections from IAGs meddling. Coalition parties signed a transparency pact promising to vet all candidates for ties to armed or criminal groups, publicize all campaign contributions on the internet, reject all suspect funds, and report any suspicious activities to authorities. Cambio Radical is making local political leaders formally responsible for candidates they sponsor in local races. The opposition Liberal Party gave Party chief and former-President Cesar Gaviria full power to remove any suspect candidates from his party roles. --National Registrar Juan Jose Galindo (responsible for election process and integrity) will vet all candidates through the Police and Administrative Department of Security (DAS). In 2006, 16 candidates were removed from races. Galindo admitted those without criminal records (including close family members of known narcos) cannot be prevented from running, but said media vigilance in naming and shaming suspect candidates was the best solution in such cases; --Galindo has transferred 160 local registrars in at-risk areas to prevent corruption and intimidation from IAGs. He plans to transfer 250 more prior to election day. --Galindo will designate 75 election managers in areas at high risk of IAGs interference. --The GOC created an inter-agency quick reaction team with 12 officials from the Registrar and 15 from the Police, DAS and Prosecutor General (Fiscalia) to respond immediately to early warnings of interference. --Police are providing increased protection to candidates under threat from IAGs. ¶5. (C) The GOC proposed longer-term election reform to strengthen penalties against individuals and parties for any ties to IAGs earlier this year. Congress will take up the legislation in the session that started July 20, but it is doubtful that the measures--even if approved--will be in place by October. U.S. and International Support Critical ======================================= ¶6. (U) The USG is providing support for observation efforts, and the GOC has asked for a robust international monitoring presence to reinforce their efforts (Ref B). The Embassy will deploy personnel to key areas to monitor the process, and through USAID is sponsoring several activities to promote electoral transparency in October, including a human rights violation/election risk mapping program, domestic observation, and voter education. The Embassy is coordinating with other international donors to insure efforts are synchronized. The GOC sent a letter to OAS SYG Jose Miguel Insulza requesting OAS assistance "during the preparation, development, and voting" in October, and is urging the OAS to finalize its election observation plans. Per Ref B, the Embassy strongly supports the GOC request to the OAS. Drucker