DAS DIRECTOR RESIGNS OVER OPPOSITION SPYING SCANDAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 003888 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/24/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO SUBJECT: DAS DIRECTOR RESIGNS OVER OPPOSITION SPYING SCANDAL REF: BOGOTA 002387 Classified By: Political Counselor John Creamer Reasons 1.4 (b and d) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Maria del Pilar Hurtado, director of Colombia's Administrative Department of Security (DAS),resigned on October 22 after opposition Senator Gustavo Petro publicly revealed internal DAS documents that tasked officials to gather intelligence on Petro and on his party, the Polo Democratico (PDA). Hurtado's initially blamed a subordinate for issuing the order and announced his dismissal. She also denied that she or President Uribe had prior knowledge of the order. Still, Hurtado later resigned as an "act of public service." Casa de Narino insiders believe Hurtado was already on her way out; the spy scandal merely accelerated her departure. Colombian National Police (CNP) Commander Naranjo told us presidential advisor Jose ObdulioGaviria pushed the DAS to collect political intelligence, and he predicted the political fallout from the scandal will continue. End Summary.