THREATS FROM DON MARIO PROMPT SECURITY BOOST IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 003925

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO
SUBJECT: THREATS FROM DON MARIO PROMPT SECURITY BOOST IN
URABA

REF: A. BOGOTA 003856

B. BOGOTA 003182

Classified By Political Counselor John Creamer
Reasons 1.4 (b and d)

SUMMARY
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1. (C) Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos announced on
October 25 that the GOC will boost its security presence in
the Uraba region of Antioquia after threats by the so-called
Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia (AGC)--a front
organization for major narcotrafficker Daniel Rendon--led to
a widespread work stoppage on October 15. The GOC will
deploy two additional army battalions to Uraba to provide a
visible deterrent to Rendon's organization. The move follows
recent GOC successes against Rendon, including the arrest or
dismissal of several high-ranking Prosecutor General's Office
(Fiscalia) and security officials alleged to be tied to the
narcotrafficker. Colombian National Police (CNP) Commander
General Naranjo told us Rendon is Colombia's most dangerous
narcotrafficker because he is trying to rebuild the former
paramilitary structure. He said the CNP continues to pursue
Rendon, but admitted that corruption is a major problem. End
Summary

SANTOS BOLSTERS SECURITY AFTER THREATENING PAMPHLETS
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2. (SBU) Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos announced on
October 25 at a local security council meeting in Apartado
that the GOC will bolster its security presence in the Uraba
region of Antioquia. Santos called the meeting after local
businesses in the region closed their doors on October 15
following threats by a group called the Autodefensas
Gaitanistas de Colombia (AGC). The Minister also announced
the creation of a permanent security council in Uraba headed
by 17th Brigade Commander Brigadier General Hector Pena. The
council includes representatives from the Administrative
Department of Security (DAS),the Colombian National Police
(CNP),the Fiscalia (Attorney General),unions and business
groups. The GOC believes the AGC is a front group for major
trafficker and former paramilitary Daniel Rendon Herrera (Don
Mario).


3. (C) Defense Ministry sources say privately that two Army
battalions from near Medellin, one of which has already been
deployed, will be part of the security surge. The additional
troops will fall under Pena's command, but will work closely
with the police to guard infrastructure and make a public
show of force. Santos announced the GOC will make greater
use of checkpoints and informant networks to pursue the AGC.
He also offered rewards of up to 3 million pesos
(approximately USD 1500) for information leading to the
arrest of AGC members.


4. (U) Santos' announcement follows a series of recent GOC
blows to Rendon's organization. Several of Rendon's most
powerful connections have recently been jailed, including
former Medellin Prosecutor General's Office (Fiscalia)
director Guillermo Valencia Cossio (brother of Interior and
Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio),and Antioquia
businessman Juan Felipe Sierra. Sierra used his links to
officials in Medellin, including Guillermo Valencia, to
benefit Rendon (see reftel B). Recordings of conversations
between Valencia and Sierra also led to the dismissal of
several regional police commanders, including former Medellin
CNP Commander Marco Tulio Pedreros, in early September. In
addition, police announced the arrest in Apartado of four
members of the Rendon organization, including a key assassin
(sicario),on October 27. The CNP has also seized several
arms caches belonging to the group.

CNP HEAD SAYS "DON MARIO" MOST DANGEROUS COLOMBIAN CRIMINAL
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5. (C) CNP commander General Oscar Naranjo told us on October
23 that he considers Rendon the most dangerous
narcotrafficker in the country. He believes Rendon, whose
brother headed the Elmer Cardenas Block of the United
Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) is rebuilding the AUC,
including penetrating state institutions and projecting a
political message. The CNP estimates Rendon has between 300

and 350 armed men, with another 1500 involved in logistics,
intelligence, and other support roles. Naranjo said Rendon's
group grew as quickly as it did because he has recruited many
former paramilitaries, including men from Carlos Jimenez's
(Macacao) Central Bolivar Block, into his organization. He
added that former paramilitaries are advising Rendon on how
to portray his group as a political force, leading to the
appearance of the AGC and the October strike.


6. (C) Naranjo reiterated the CNP's commitment to detaining
Rendon, but conceded that corruption among local CNP
officials is a problem. He recently replaced all of the
members of the Antioquia CNP antikidnapping unit (GAULA)
after discovering that two of its members were killed in
Uraba while working for "Los Paisas," a narcotrafficking
group that competes with Rendon's organization. Naranjo also
plans to replace the local CNP commander in Apartado, as well
as eight CNP Colonels and two Captains in Medellin, in an
effort to combat corruption and improve efficiency.
BROWNFIELD