COLOMBIAN-ECUADORIAN ANTINARCOTICS COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 003600

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR CO EC
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN-ECUADORIAN ANTINARCOTICS COOPERATION
CONTINUES WITH AN INTERDICTION OPERATION

Classified By: NAS Director, Perry Holloway, E.O. 12958, reasons 1.4(b)
and (d)

1.(C) SUMMARY: Despite recent diplomatic tension between
Colombia and Ecuador, antinarcotics working-level cooperation
between these two countries continued with a September 19
narcotics interdiction operation in Narino, Colombia. On
September 18 Ecuadorians provided critical intelligence and
assistance and, as a result, Colombian Police Junglas were
able to capture a 45-foot semi-submersible and destroy a
semi-submersible manufacturing facility. The operation
prevented thousands of kilograms of drugs from reaching the
United States while demonstrating the will of both countries
to work together against drug trafficking ) at least at
working levels. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Despite diplomatic tensions between Colombia and
Ecuador following the March 1 Colombian bombing of
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC in Spanish)
second-in command Raul Reyes,s camp in Ecuador,
working-level cooperation in antinarcotics continued as
demonstrated by a Colombian-Ecuadorian interdiction mission
on September 19 in the Colombian Department of Narino. Fifty
USG-supported Junglas (Colombian Antinarcotics Police
Airmobile Commandos) flew U.S.-supported aircraft (two UH 60
and one UH-II) and worked with an Ecuadorian police officer
to successfully capture a 45-foot semi-submersible craft and
a craft-building facility located in highly challenging
terrain on the Mataje river, near the Pacific coast, 300
meters from Ecuador,s border. The Ecuadorian officer
provided coordinates for the semi-submersible craft and the
factory, and actively participated in the mission by marking
target location for the Junglas. The Junglas did not enter
Ecuador.


3. (U) The semi-submersible craft-building facility )
valued by the Colombian Government at $1.5 million - appeared
to have been in use for over two years. The site contained
400 gallons of resin, 30 fiber glass laminates, as well as
accommodations for 20 workers who appeared to have been
working in continuous shifts since there were only 10 beds in
sight. The nearly-completed 45-foot submarine, capable of
carrying up to 8 tons of narcotics, was likely poised to
proceed two-and-a-half miles down the Mataje river to pick up
4.7 tons of cocaine (street value $141 million) that were
seized by the Ecuadorian police on September 15.


4. (C) Colombian political will and Ecuadorian
working-level cooperation made this operation possible.
Ecuadorian officials contacted Colombian authorities with
target information soon after their September 15 raid and
offered to liaise with the Junglas. Colombian National
Police Director, General Oscar Naranjo, recognized the
overture and prioritized this mission above other competing
objectives. With this operation, Colombia and Ecuador showed
that in spite of political differences, they can still work
together on counternarcotics issues.


5. (C) COMMENT: Ecuador has historically been one of
Colombia,s most efficient regional partners in the war on
drugs. Illicit narcotics production and trafficking directly
support numerous narcoterrorist organizations in the Andean
region and damage the health and well-being of U.S. citizens.
The recognition of shared strategic objectives and the
continuation of joint antinarcotics efforts between Colombia
and Ecuador prevent these organizations from taking advantage
of diplomatic tensions and establishing a safe haven along
the porous 400-mile border. END COMMENT.
NICHOLS