MAPP/OAS IN VALLEDUPAR: PROGRESS BUT A WEAK

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 002319

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KJUS CO
SUBJECT: MAPP/OAS IN VALLEDUPAR: PROGRESS BUT A WEAK
ECONOMY AND CRIMINAL GROUPS REMAIN CHALLENGES

REF: BOGOTA 7397

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

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Summary
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1. (U) During a June 19 visit to Valledupar organized by the
MAPP/OAS (Organization of American States' Mission to Support
the Peace Process),security forces and local officials
described an improved security environment overall, but noted
concerns over continued threats by the FARC and criminal
groups. MAPP officials highlighted weak interagency
coordination on demobilization and reinsertion programs, as
well as the need for more resources for victims. Cesar's
governor is formulating a Peace and Development Plan that
would include job creation, vocational training, and
investment initiatives to combat high unemployment and
poverty, and assist the large internally displaced
population. Security forces note continued efforts to combat
illegal armed groups and track the 3146 demobilized
paramilitaries living in Cesar. End Summary.

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Illegal Armed Groups Threaten, Recruit Demobilized
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2. (SBU) On June 19, MAPP/OAS (Organization of American
States' Mission to Support the Peace Process) Director Sergio
Caramagna led a delegation from the U.S., Canadian, Norwegian
and Spanish embassies to Valledupar (Cesar department) to
assess MAPP's activities in the region.. MAPP's Valledupar
office covers four departments: Cesar, Atlantico, Magdalena,
and Guajira. Caramagna said the security situation in Cesar
had improved vastly compared to four years ago when AUC
commanders such as Rodrigo Tovar Pupo ("Jorge 40") terrorized
the population. Still, new criminal groups -- including some
former AUC "Bloque Norte" members -- continue to engage in
extortion, murder, and forced recruitment. Local MAPP
official Victoria Figueroa said weak interagency coordination
on demobilization and reinsertion programs has left a
security vacuum for demobilized. Reports of threats, forced
recruitment, and murders of demobilized by criminal groups
are a growing concern. She stressed the importance of
providing more resources for psycho social services, job
creation programs, and general assistance for demobilized
paramilitaries.

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Attention to Victims Needed
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3. (C) MAPP officials said the National Commission for
Reintegration and Reconciliation (CNRR) set up a local office
in January 2008, but it lacks basic resources like internet
connections and proper staffing. There are seven indigenous
groups in Cesar, including the Arhuaco and Yupa in the Sierra
Nevada area, who receive threats by the FARC and other
criminal groups, but do not report them to the Human Rights
Ombudsman for fear of retaliation. Figueroa said the Vice
President's Office on Human Rights needs to engage victims
and local communities in the development of a National Human
Rights Development Plan, especially since local authorities
have the will but lack resources. MAPP officials said the GOC
has a "long way to go" to build confidence and be responsive
to victims of human rights violations.

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Security Better; Bigger Threat is Weak Economy
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4. (U) Cesar Governor Cristian Moreno, who defeated
well-financed candidates who enjoyed the support of
politicians tied to the former paramilitaries in last
October's elections, said he aims to place a department-level
human rights representative (different from the Human Rights
Ombudsman) in every municipality to respond to community
concerns and channel information back to his office. Moreno
said the election signified a fed-up public that wants to
break with the past (reftel). He acknowledged that local
institutions are weak and economic problems are severe,

including high unemployment rates among demobilized
paramilitaries. Cesar is also home to 13,790 internally
displaced families (65,477 people) who need basic assistance.
He is formulating a Peace and Development Plan that would
include economic stimulus, vocational training, and
investment initiatives.


5. (SBU) Local police officials told us the department
suffers from a 7.6 % unemployment rate, 44% poverty rate, and
widespread activity by the FARC and criminal groups. The
FARC's 59th, 41st and 19th fronts, along with ELN terrorists
and criminal groups, vie for control of narcotrafficking
routes. So far this year, the police have captured 40 and
killed 16 members of criminal groups. Security forces
estimate there are 3146 demobilized paramilitaries living in
the department (of whom 1585 are in Valledupar)-- all are
being tracked by the police. 345 have been arrested for
various crimes. Of the 103 homicides in Cesar this year, 9
victims were demobilized paramilitaries. 10th Brigade colonel
Hernan Fernandez underscored the strong coordination between
the military and police forces, and added that the North
Guajira area faced the most critical threat from the FARC and
criminal groups.
BROWNFIELD