POPULAR WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION MEMBERS ALLEGE

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000794 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PTER OAS CO SUBJECT: POPULAR WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION MEMBERS ALLEGE SECURITY REMAINS CONCERN IN BARRANCABERMEJA, BUCARAMANGA -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Polcouns visited a Popular Women's Organization (OFP) office in Barrancabermeja and also made remarks at the inauguration of a new OFP office in Bucaramanga on February ¶13. Members of the group told Polcouns about the threats against their group by so-called "paramilitaries" and other criminal groups, their concerns about the new Barrancabermeja Mayor's "militarized" approach to address the city's increasing violence, and the need for more social programs in the region. OFP appreciated the visit, stating international recognition of the OFP helps their security. END SUMMARY. -------------- THREATS AGAINST OFP -------------- ¶2. (SBU) At the OFP office in the northeastern, working-class neighborhood of Barrancabermeja (Barranca), PolCouns met with twenty women to hear their account of life in Barranca. The women reviewed the OFP's history, noting that paramilitaries targeted OFP offices and members during the paramilitary "taking" of Barranca in December 2000 and early 2001. Prior to the paramilitary operation, the ELN and FARC controlled the city's working class areas. The women said OFP has 3000 active members, and provides food, counseling, vocational training, and legal services to women in Barranca and rural municipalities in the Medio Magdalena region. The women thanked Polcouns for the visit, stressing that international recognition is important to ensure the OFP's security. ¶3. (SBU) Polcouns gave three interviews with local radio and television, stressing the importance of the OFP's work. OFP President Yolanda Becerra left Barranca in November after two armed men broke into her apartment and threatened her life, as well as that of her family. Becerra receives protection from the Ministry of Interior and Justice's protection program for human rights activists, journalists, unionists, and other at-risk individuals. She now splits her time between Bogota and Bucaramanga. ¶4. (SBU) The women claimed the paramilitary demobilization changed little in Barranca. Several said so-called "paramilitaries" continue to patrol openly on motorcycles in the city's poorer neighborhoods despite heavy police and military presence. The criminal groups run extortion and loan sharking operations, and also engage in "social cleansing." The women acknowledged that new mayor Carlos Contreras lacks ties to traditional, corrupt politicians, but voiced skepticism that he would improve the city's security. They said Contreras has held two municipal security meetings in response to a recent increase in murders, promising to build two new police stations and to increase the number of police. (Note: President Uribe held a National Security Council meeting in Barranca on February 25.) The OFP leaders expressed concern that Contreras considers "militarization" to be the solution to the city's problems. They believe better social programs would be more effective in improving the city's security. ¶5. (SBU) At Becerra's invitation, Polcouns also made remarks at the inauguration of a new OFP office in Bucaramanga--a two hour drive from Barranca. The local UN High Commission on Human Rights representative also attended. Becerra said Bucaramanga is where Barranca was two years ago in terms of security. She noted the active presence of the Aguilas Negras, a criminal group that runs drugs, loan shark operations, and extortion rackets in the city. The local OAS Mission in Support of the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OAS) representative agreed that GOC security operations in Norte del Santander have forced narcotraffickers to shift their activities to Bucaramanga, leading to an increase in crime. Still, the representative said the Aguilas Negras and other criminal groups focus on narcotrafficking and do not exercise the political control held by the old paramilitary groups. Brownfield