INCREASING VENEZUELAN INFLUENCE ON ATLANTIC COAST

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 000720 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KDEM SOCI SNAR NU VE SUBJECT: INCREASING VENEZUELAN INFLUENCE ON ATLANTIC COAST REF: MANAGUA 0268 Classified By: Ambassador Paul Trivelli for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Prominent indigenous activist Javier Williams Slate warns the Ortega Administration is aggressively consolidating power in the North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN) to secure a route for their Venezuelan allies to transport oil to the Pacific. According to Williams, Venezuelan delegations are visiting the North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN) with increasing frequency under the cover of a road building agreement, and could soon establish a permanent presence in Puerto Cabezas. He also observed that narcotraffickers who had earlier left the area to experiment with Pacific Coast routes are beginning to return. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Creole/Miskito indigenous leader and former Vice Foreign Minister Javier Williams Slate requested a meeting with Ambassador on March 15 to discuss his concerns with the Sandinistas' growing influence and increasing Venezuelan presence in the RAAN. Williams commented that he has been meeting discreetly with community leaders to plan for the November 2008 municipal elections, in an effort to reverse Sandinista gains in the area. He said that he would not run personally, but mentioned the need to "find the best candidate soon." ¶3. (C) Williams claimed that current Puerto Cabezas mayor Elizabeth Henriquez has been "discredited" by her association with the branch of Yatama (the Miskito indigenous party) that formed an alliance with the FSLN in 2006 and her U.S. visa revocation. Conversely, the Yatama faction headed by Comandante Blas that allied with the ALN has "considerable support," but is likely infiltrated by paid informants who could derail the organization. Williams stated that Blas and others were able to block the FSLN's attempts to gain control over the Moravian Church leadership (reftel),but he feels that even that institution could be susceptible to bribery given the extreme lack of resources on the Coast. ¶4. (C) The FSLN is determined to win the Puerto Cabezas mayoral race, Williams explained, to safeguard the oil storage facilities at the port and the RAAN road building project sponsored by Venezuela. He commented that Venezuelan delegations have frequented the RAAN recently and could soon open a permanent office in Puerto Cabezas. Williams believes the motivation for Venezuela's interest in the region is developing an alternative Caribbean-Pacific route to ship oil to China. He is concerned that the Sandinistas may use the Venezuelans to push an indoctrination campaign and sway the sympathies of the population. Williams claimed that people on the Atlantic Coast still tend to be anti-Sandinista and are concerned about President Ortega's recent criticisms of the U.S. government. ¶5. (C) Ambassador inquired about Williams perception of narcotrafficking activity in the region. He responded that drug shipments seemed to have diminished for some time, but are now on the increase after several interdictions on the Pacific Coast. Williams commented that the fishing season will close from April 15 to July 15, during which time it will be more difficult for traffickers to operate clandestinely on the Atlantic Coast. ¶6. (C) Comment: Although the Sandinistas are generally reviled by the indigenous peoples of the Atlantic Coast for human rights abuses committed during the 1980s civil war, most of the population lives in dire poverty and is susceptible to Sandinista overtures that come with practical benefits (better roads, for instance). We are seeking ways to increase the visibility of U.S. assistance in the Atlantic Coast region. TRIVELLI