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