PRE-ELECTIONS CLIMATE IN VALLEDUPAR: CRIMINAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007397

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2017
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PINR PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: PRE-ELECTIONS CLIMATE IN VALLEDUPAR: CRIMINAL
BANDS AND PARA-POLITICAL INFLUENCE REMAIN CONCERNS


Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer. Reason: 1.4(b,d)


1. (U) Summary: Candidates and officials in Valledupar,
capital of the northern Cesar Department, report some
paramilitary influence in local campaigns and isolated
security threats against candidates, but note an overall
improvement in openness and transparency this election
season. The GOC is taking steps to provide security to
candidates and encourage transparency, but concerns about the
growth of new criminal bands remain widespread. Local media
say press freedom is greater than in past elections, with no
paramilitary threats against reporters. End Summary.

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Valledupar: Former Paramilitary Stronghold
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2. (U) Valledupar, capital of Cesar department in northern
Colombia, has a history of paramilitary presence and wealthy
landowners who have long held political control. The
demobilization of 5000 paramilitary led by Valledupar native
Rodrigo Tovar Pupo (aka Jorge 40) reduced violence, but the
emergence of new criminal groups is a serious security threat
according to local Prosecutor General's Office (Fiscalia),
Human Rights Ombudsman (Defensoria) and OAS Special Mission
to Support the Peace Process (OAS/MAPP) officials. The
Colombian daily El Tiempo reported on September 6 that
homicides between January-September in Valledupar doubled
from 51 in 2006 to 100 in 2007. Homicides in Cesar rose from
159 to 310 during the same time period. A July 2007
Defensoria report indicates 23 municipalities in Cesar (92%)
are at risk from the presence of the FARC and emerging
criminal bands.

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Criminal Bands a Concern
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3. (U) Acting Governor Rodrigo Canosa Guerrero (Liberal
Party) said emerging criminal groups like the Aguilas Negras
were a security concern throughout Cesar but did not believe
they would interfere directly in the upcoming elections.
Guerrero, who has been at his post since May when
then-governor Hernando Molina was arrested for paramilitary
ties, said overall security had improved but feared
recruitment efforts by the Aguilas Negras were intensifying.
Mayor Ciro Arturo Pupo (Jorge 40's cousin) agreed security
was better, but said crimes committed by demobilized paras
were alarming residents. Local Defensor Agustin Florez told
us paramilitary influence had decreased since the last
election, as well as the number of threats to candidates.
Valledupar Bishop Oscar Jose Velez Isaza also underscored the
overall improvement in security in the region, noting
residents have greater freedom to travel. Still, he said the
city needs to focus on the high unemployment rate among
demobilized paramilitaries.


4. (C) On September 28, police arrested 12 persons (formerly
demobilized from Bloque Central Boliver) for the August 16
murder of former mayor and Liberal party leader, Anuar Yaver
Cortes, in Aguachica in southern Cesar. All 200 Liberal party
candidates in Cesar temporarily suspended their campaigns to
protest. They resumed their campaigns after Minister of
Defense Juan Manuel Santos visited Aguachica and said
providing security to candidates would be a top priority.
Luis Fabian Fernandez, Liberal candidate for governor, has
received threats from criminal bands to cease his campaign
and now travels with several bodyguards. Liberal Senator
Perdo Muvdi and Liberal party leader in Cesar, Jose Luis
Uron, said they faced multiple threats from the estimated 400
criminal bands that operate in Cesar. These "third generation
mafia" were taking over where FARC guerrillas and
paramilitaries once held power.


5. (C) Local Fiscal Franklin Martinez said the Aguilas
Negras have been circulating flyers, making threats to their
drug trafficking rivals, but not threatening candidates. The
Fiscalia investigates threats but has no control over
financial corruption which he considered a bigger danger.
Vote-buying is rampant but seen as part of the electoral
process. Martinez feared Jorge 40 still influenced a wide

spectrum of social and political actors in the region.
Cesar's Polo Democratico Alternativo president, Aldemar
Palmera, said none of its candidates have received threats
but voiced concerns about financial corruption and
questionable campaign funds.

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Para-politico Influence Persists
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6. (U) Former local senators Alvaro Araujo Castro and
Mauricio Pimiento were arrested in February for their
paramilitary ties. In September, investigations began
against Alfredo Cuello Baute (Conservative),former president
of the House of Representatives, and Representative Alvaro
Moron Cuello (Alas Equipo) for their alleged ties to Jorge

40. A public debate on September 19 between six mayoral
candidates ended with rancorous accusations between two
candidates over alleged campaign financing from a regional
lottery company tied to Jorge 40.


7. (U) None of the three gubernatorial candidates--Jaime
Camilo Murgas (Conservative),Christian Hernando Moreno
(Opcion Centro) and Arturo Rafael Calderon (Independiente
Libre)--have received any threats. The race is currently neck
to neck between Murgas and Calderon, who was the Health
Minister under Governor Molina. Moreno, who withdrew his
candidacy in 2003 due to threats, is supported by the Polo
Democratico Alternative party (PDA). In an August 6 radio
show, ex-Senator Araujo endorsed Calderon. In the September
23 issue of La Noticia, Senator Gustavo Petro (PDA) accused
Calderon of being a part of a "mafia" perpetuating fear and
control. Flyers are circulating suggesting Calderon enjoys
the backing of former Senators Araujo and Pimiento as well as
former Governor Molina.

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GOC Reaction, Ready for elections
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8. (U) Vice President Francisco Santos Calderon visited
Valledupar on September 20 to oversee the signing of a
transparency pact with mayoral and gubernatorial candidates.
He urged candidates to demonstrate commitment to clean
campaigning to rid the region of its negative political
reputation. Although largely symbolic, candidates pledged to
make their campaigns transparent.


9. (U) Press freedom is also more notable than in the past,
according to Mildred Zapata of Valledupar's Vanguardia
newspaper. She said reporters no longer receive threats for
writing critical pieces against politicians or criminal
bands. Editorial campaigns calling for the
"de-parapoliticization of Cesar" have run in both Vanguardia
and La Nacion recently.


10. (U) The National Registrar's Office transferred local
electoral registrars from Bucaramanga to Valledupar in
September to ensure objectivity. They told us preparations
for election day were proceeding smoothly. They expect a high
voter turnout (60%) due to the city's security measures and
additional police postings at all voting sites.
Brownfield