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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- -------------- ¶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 -------------- -------------- ¶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