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