Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LIMA3646
2007-11-16 14:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lima
Cable title:
PERU: ANOTHER DEADLY ATTACK ON POLICE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHPE #3646 3201454 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 161454Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY LIMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7331 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 5277 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 7668 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 3188 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0917 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ NOV 4622 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 9371 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 1585 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 1604 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUMIAAA/USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 003646
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017
TAGS: PGOV PTER SNAR PE
SUBJECT: PERU: ANOTHER DEADLY ATTACK ON POLICE
REF: A. LIMA 3563
B. LIMA 2560
Classified By: DCM JAMES D. NEALON. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 003646
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017
TAGS: PGOV PTER SNAR PE
SUBJECT: PERU: ANOTHER DEADLY ATTACK ON POLICE
REF: A. LIMA 3563
B. LIMA 2560
Classified By: DCM JAMES D. NEALON. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Summary: Four Peruvian National Police (PNP) officers
were killed November 13 in an ambush in northern Huancavelica
region by presumed narco-trafficking interests. Whether the
culprits were narco-thugs or Sendero Luminoso remnants
remains unclear, and in any case, the distinction between the
two has dimmed. End Summary.
2. (C) According to media reports and other contacts, a group
of up to 40 heavily armed individuals attacked two PNP
vehicles November 13 in northern Huancavelica region, about
200 kilometers east of Lima. The police were returning to
their base in the neighboring region of Junin about 6:45 p.m.
local time when the lead vehicle struck explosive devices
planted in the road, killing all four officers aboard. The
attackers then opened fire on the second vehicle, while those
inside returned fire and escaped on foot. Two officers were
injured in the process. The attackers then reportedly used
more explosives to destroy the two damaged vehicles,
including the one containing the four officers killed in the
initial explosion, and fled the scene.
3. (C) Following the attack, the PNP dispatched a contingent
of officials to investigate and review procedures at the
nearby base. Given that the area is a known route for the
drug-producing Apurimac and Ene River Valley (VRAE) to the
east, analysts suspect that narco-trafficking interests were
behind the attack. Some suggest that the attack was a
response to recent seizures of drugs and precursor chemicals
in the area by the PNP, much like the October 31 attack in
Ocobamba (ref A),some 200 kilometers to the southeast.
Defense Minister Allan Wagner November 14 discounted
suggestions that the two attacks signaled a resurgence of
"terrorism" in Peru, describing the attack as a simple
response to police pressure on the drug trade in the area.
Interior Minister Luis Alva Castro refused to rule out any
possibility, saying only that investigations were ongoing.
He traveled to the area November 15 to investigate firsthand.
4. (C) Comment: While these attacks could suggest a
resurgence of Sendero Luminoso, others believe simple
narco-thuggery is to blame. Given that SL remnants in the
emergency zones have increasingly morphed into mere
narco-thugs, the distinction may be becoming empty. Whatever
the case, the real problem remains the absence of
state-provided security in remote areas where the narcotics
trade flourishes. End Comment.
MCKINLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017
TAGS: PGOV PTER SNAR PE
SUBJECT: PERU: ANOTHER DEADLY ATTACK ON POLICE
REF: A. LIMA 3563
B. LIMA 2560
Classified By: DCM JAMES D. NEALON. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Summary: Four Peruvian National Police (PNP) officers
were killed November 13 in an ambush in northern Huancavelica
region by presumed narco-trafficking interests. Whether the
culprits were narco-thugs or Sendero Luminoso remnants
remains unclear, and in any case, the distinction between the
two has dimmed. End Summary.
2. (C) According to media reports and other contacts, a group
of up to 40 heavily armed individuals attacked two PNP
vehicles November 13 in northern Huancavelica region, about
200 kilometers east of Lima. The police were returning to
their base in the neighboring region of Junin about 6:45 p.m.
local time when the lead vehicle struck explosive devices
planted in the road, killing all four officers aboard. The
attackers then opened fire on the second vehicle, while those
inside returned fire and escaped on foot. Two officers were
injured in the process. The attackers then reportedly used
more explosives to destroy the two damaged vehicles,
including the one containing the four officers killed in the
initial explosion, and fled the scene.
3. (C) Following the attack, the PNP dispatched a contingent
of officials to investigate and review procedures at the
nearby base. Given that the area is a known route for the
drug-producing Apurimac and Ene River Valley (VRAE) to the
east, analysts suspect that narco-trafficking interests were
behind the attack. Some suggest that the attack was a
response to recent seizures of drugs and precursor chemicals
in the area by the PNP, much like the October 31 attack in
Ocobamba (ref A),some 200 kilometers to the southeast.
Defense Minister Allan Wagner November 14 discounted
suggestions that the two attacks signaled a resurgence of
"terrorism" in Peru, describing the attack as a simple
response to police pressure on the drug trade in the area.
Interior Minister Luis Alva Castro refused to rule out any
possibility, saying only that investigations were ongoing.
He traveled to the area November 15 to investigate firsthand.
4. (C) Comment: While these attacks could suggest a
resurgence of Sendero Luminoso, others believe simple
narco-thuggery is to blame. Given that SL remnants in the
emergency zones have increasingly morphed into mere
narco-thugs, the distinction may be becoming empty. Whatever
the case, the real problem remains the absence of
state-provided security in remote areas where the narcotics
trade flourishes. End Comment.
MCKINLEY