PRESIDENT COLOM FIRES SECURITY CHIEF QUINTANILLA

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 001131 DEPT PLEASE PASS TO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAL COLLECTIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018 TAGS: PGOV PINR ASEC SNAR GT SUBJECT: PRESIDENT COLOM FIRES SECURITY CHIEF QUINTANILLA REF: GUATEMALA 0821 Classified By: Ambassador Stephen G. McFarland for reasons 1.4 (b&d). ¶1. (C) On September 4, President Colom announced on national TV that he had accepted the resignation of Carlos Quintanilla, the controversial Director of Presidential Security (Secretariat for Administrative and Security Affairs, SAAS). Prior to making the announcement, the President called in the military to take over security functions at the Palace from the SAAS, leading to media rumors of a coup. The President told reporters that the discovery of hidden microphones and cameras in his and his wife's formal offices, their home, and in Colom's private office had been the final straw. ¶2. (C) Earlier that day, President Colom asked the Ambassador to meet him on an urgent matter. The President was joined by FonMin Haroldo Rodas and by Private Secretary Gustavo Alejos. The President, who was agitated, explained that a recent sweep of his offices and living quarters had revealed numerous listening devices. Colom said he did not know whether Quintanilla had placed the bugs, but in any case ensuring the integrity of the First Family's home and offices had been his responsibility. Colom also mentioned that threats against his wife had continued, and he was frustrated with Quintanilla's failure to put a stop to them -- and he said he could not rule out that Quintanilla had been behind them. President Colom said he would deliver some of the detected listening devices to us for possible analysis. Quintanilla had been his friend for the past nine years, Colom said, and he had struggled with the decision to remove him. ¶3. (SBU) Quintanilla's replacement is Ricado Marroquin Rosada, the first Director of the SAS (during the Portillo Administration, 2000-2004). From 1979-1985, Marroquin was a guerrilla commander of the Resistance Organization of the People in Arms (ORPA),but nonetheless maintained an excellent working relationship with the Embassy during his tenure at SAAS. Manuel de Jesus Galiano Aguilar has been named to temporarily replace Solano at SAE. Galiano is said to enjoy the support of First Lady Sandra Torres de Colom. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador told the President he understood and supported the need to replace Quintanilla, and he said the U.S. had had a positive relationship with incoming SAAS Director Marroquin. With Quintanilla out of the picture, he asked the President if he would be willing to sit down and discuss the security situation and relevant bilateral programs. Colom agreed. ¶5. (C) Comment: President Colom had been working to diminish Quintanilla's influence since the June 27 death of Minister of Government Vinicio Gomez and Vice Minister for Security Edgar Hernandez in a helicopter accident (reftel). Several high level military and civilian officers who were allies of Quintanilla have been removed from their jobs in the past two months. This incident underscores for Colom that he does not know entirely who is working for him and who is working against him. On September 5 he canceled a trip to the Peten with the Ambassador due to a desire to inspect more thoroughly the President's helicopters. That said, Quintanilla's departure should boost bilateral cooperation on security and law enforcement. Qsecurity and law enforcement. McFarland