PONCHOS ROJOS' MIXED MESSAGE: BLOOD AND PEACE?

C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001536 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER EAID BL SUBJECT: PONCHOS ROJOS' MIXED MESSAGE: BLOOD AND PEACE? Classified By: A/EcoPol Chief Brian Quigley for reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Ancoraimes chapter of the pro-government Ponchos Rojos militia group handed over 10 obsolete weapons to the government July 9. The public event was spun by the government to emphasize the alliance between the government and the Ponchos Rojos and the ability of the government to call upon the group "to defend the country." The Defense Minister's promise to supply the Rojos with operable weapons if needed was taken as a veiled threat by the opposition. The Ancoraimes Mayor insisted to PolOff July 10 that the intent was to calm fears the government is nefariously supplying the group with weapons. He also pointed to fractures within the group and between the group and the government. Although he criticized the government's handling of bilateral relations and pleaded for USAID projects, he indicated these criticisms would not be made public. End Summary. Ponchos Rojos Laying Down Arms ... or Just Upgrading? -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) The Ancoraimes chapter of the radical, pro-government Ponchos Rojos (Red Ponchos) militia group handed over 10 antiquated weapons (mostly Mauser rifles) to the government July 9 as a sign of their respect for the law. Defense Secretary Walker San Miguel, who represented the government in the staged event, told the Rojos, "Don't doubt my friends that if the country needs you, it will be the country, it will be the state that will give you the arms you need to defend Bolivia as you did in the Chaco War (with Paraguay, 1932-35)." DefMin De Facto Deputizes Rojos -------------- ¶3. (U) San Miguel told the Rojos that "everyone is a reservist" for the state. He said the weapon turn-in demonstrated how close "the armed forces are with the people in the countryside." Ancoraimes Mayor Friolan Mamani left no doubt about the Ponjos allegiance: "With or without arms we are committed to the process of change and we are disposed to give our lives and blood for President Evo Morales." Surrendered Weapons Spun Against Opposition -------------- ¶4. (U) Both Mamani and San Miguel used the event to criticize the pro-opposition, Santa Cruz-based Cruseno Youth Movement (UJC) and as an "irregular organization providing arms and explosives." If such pro-opposition irregular groups don't hand in their weapons, San Miguel warned that justice would be served "by repressive means." Opposition Not Reassured -------------- ¶5. (U) Senate President Oscar Ortiz (PODEMOS, Santa Cruz) publicly criticized San Miguel for implying that the Ponchos Rojos could essentially be mobilized as an unofficial government military against the opposition. San Miguel's office responded that San Miguel was referring to a hypothetical international conflict which would require calling up Bolivian "reserves." Mayor Mamani' Message of Peace (To Us) -------------- ¶6. (C) Mayor Mamani told PolOff July 10 that he organized the event as a response to complaints from Santa Cruz opposition leaders that the government is supplying arms to the Ponchos Rojos, a charge he categorically denies. "We wanted to show the crusenos that all we want is peace." Mamani conceded the weapons were mostly inoperable and "couldn't even be used to knock down a door," but said the symbolism of the event is important to assure both the opposition and his own more radical constituents that "conflict is not the answer." Troubles in Rojo Paradise -------------- ¶7. (C) Mamani said the weapons hand-over also symbolizes a standing down of radical indigenism which he hinted could also be turned against the government or moderate leaders, in favor of an acquiescence to civilian democratic rule. He said he was trying calm more radical chapters of the Poncho Rojos in the Province of Omasuyos, the group's main area of operation. However, radical Poncho Rojo leader and Mayor of neighboring Achacachi pushed back after the event and blasted Mamani for speaking "in the name of the Ponchos Rojos" without coordinating with him. He said the Ponchos Rojos would not hand over any more weapons, which, although obsolete, hold symbolic importance and are used ceremonially, until after he discusses the issue with Ancoraimes' leaders. ¶8. (C) Other EcoPol contacts have told us there is an internal struggle underway since late 2007 pitting "moderate" Omasuyos mayors such as Mamani and some traditional leaders, most notably ex-indigenous resistance leader and ex-presidential candidate Felipe Quispe, against Rojas and other radicals over the direction of the organization. Mamani said the credibility of the government and Rojas took a hit after Vice Minister of Coordination with Social Movements Sacha Llorenti failed to follow through on a promise to give 10,000 Bs (about $1,500) to send a small contingent of Ponchos Rojos to Santa Cruz during the department's (state's) autonomy referendum May 4. Mamani said he has been refused an audience with Minister of Government Alredo Rada and Presidency Minister Juan Ramon Quintana "20 times," which he suspects is punishment for his moderate views, although he added antiplano leaders have been generally marginalized by the Morales Administration. Mamani Wants U.S./USAID -------------- ¶9. (C) Mamani criticized the opposition and, more pointedly, President Evo Morales for exacerbating class and race tensions for their political means. He said Bolivians need to forget about their differences and focus on development, which he segued into his obligation to his constituents "to seek assistance from everyone, black or white, Bolivian or foreign." Mamani criticized the government's handling of bilateral relations, specifically its "bad decision" to force USAID out of the Chapare region and subsequent government "deception" that USAID's efforts will be replaced by European and Venezuelan development. "Who will replace them after the way they were treated?" He urged USAID to focus on areas that will welcome them, such as Ancoraimes, although he responded with silence when we asked him if he would defend USAID publicly. Comment -------------- ¶10. (C) Mamani's GOB criticisms and peacenik persona at the Embassy were in stark contrast to his July 9 public blood and guts pledge to defend Morales. Whatever Mamani's intentions for the event, this dog and pony show seemed to set the stage for a "repressive" crackdown on radical pro-opposition groups like the UJC. Instead of reassuring the opposition, San Miguel's promise to supply the Ponchos Rojos with (functioning) weapons if Evo ever needs help sent them into a panic. San Miguel was surely playing to the audience the way Morales does in the Chapare, but that's no excuse for (likely intentionally) vague comments that seemed more designed to intimidate than to calm. End Summary. GOLDBERG