COLOMBIA-CUBA: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 004334 WHA/CCA FOR DMCFARLAND E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2018 TAGS: ETRD ECON ETTC PGOV PREL CU CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIA-CUBA: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF LIBERTAD ACT REF: STATE 126578 Classified By: ECONOMIC COUNSELOR LAWRENCE J. GUMBINER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Colombia has a minimal trade and investment relationship with Cuba. According to the Colombian Ministry of Trade, in 2007 Colombia exported USD 50.5 million worth of goods to Cuba and imported USD 8.4 million of goods from Cuba. The rate of bilateral trade flows in the first half of 2008 increased moderately, with Colombian exports to Cuba totaling USD 27.5 million and imports from Cuba of USD 6.5 million. Major Colombian exports to Cuba include sugar, domestic appliances, transformers, ceramics and building materials, while top imports include beverages, steel alloys, sugar, fertilizers, medicines, and copper products. Post is not aware of any Colombian businesses participating in the November 3 Havana Trade Fair. Since 2000, Colombia and Cuba have offered limited reciprocal trade preferences through Cuba's participation in the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI). ¶2. (C) According to the Colombian Ministry of Trade and Central Bank, Colombia has made no direct investment in Cuba since 1994. Cuba has made investments valued at USD 70 million in Colombia since 2001. In January 2008, the Colombian Institute for International Technical Education and Scholarships (ICETEX) announced the offering of ten scholarships for Colombian students to study medicine in Cuba. The scholarships are funded by the Cuban government. ¶3. (SBU) Separately, a Cuban agricultural mission, led by Council of State member and National Association of Small Farmers President Orlando Lugo Fonte, visited Colombia in March 2008 and met with President Uribe to discuss scientific cooperation in the cattle and biofuels industries. Following the visit, the Colombian government agreed to provide technical assistance to Cuba in constructing a small experimental ethanol plant. ¶4. (C) Post is not aware of any high-level diplomatic visits between Cuba and Colombia in the past six months. ¶5. (SBU) In response to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, Colombia sent ten tons of construction materials to Cuba in September via a Colombian Air Force transport. The humanitarian assistance was provided by Colombia's Office for Disaster Response and Prevention and was intended to help reconstruct housing for hurricane victims. ¶6. (C) In general, Colombia maintains a cautious policy toward Cuba due to Cuba's willingness to host peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and Fidel Castro's influence with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Colombia has made only limited public statements in international fora condemning human rights violations or pressing for a democratic transition in Colombia. At the GOC's request, Cuba hosted talks between the Colombian Government and the ELN. However, the Cuban Government did not play a significant substantive role in the talks, which dragged on for more than a year in Havana. Colombian Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo traveled to Cuba periodically during the process. NICHOLS