Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASUNCION344
2009-05-26 21:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asuncion
Cable title:  

THREATS AND FAKE BOMBS IN ASUNCION

Tags:  ASEC PTER PGOV PREL PA 
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P 262138Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7866
INFO MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
FBI WASHDC PRIORITY
DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000344 


FOR DS/ITA, DS/IP, DS/ATA, S/CT AND WHA/BSC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2029
TAGS: ASEC PTER PGOV PREL PA
SUBJECT: THREATS AND FAKE BOMBS IN ASUNCION

REF: A. ASUNCION 261

B. ASUNCION 284

C. ASUNCION 308

Classified By: DCM Michael J. Fitzpatrick. Reasons: 1.4 (B&D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASUNCION 000344


FOR DS/ITA, DS/IP, DS/ATA, S/CT AND WHA/BSC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2029
TAGS: ASEC PTER PGOV PREL PA
SUBJECT: THREATS AND FAKE BOMBS IN ASUNCION

REF: A. ASUNCION 261

B. ASUNCION 284

C. ASUNCION 308

Classified By: DCM Michael J. Fitzpatrick. Reasons: 1.4 (B&D)


1. (U) SUMMARY: There have been 58 bomb threats in greater
Asuncion since April 29, with one device actually detonating
and four mock explosive devices found. This is likely part
of a harassment campaign against the Government of Paraguay.
The presence of multiple devices specifically designed to
look like bombs, as well as numerous phoned-in bomb threats,
demonstrate the deliberate nature of the campaign, further
aggravated by copycat prank calls. The flood of threats and
mock devices has strained the capabilities of Paraguayan law
enforcement and created tension in Asuncion. The U.S.
government and U.S. Embassy have provided support throughout
the situation and are currently providing the Paraguayan
National Police with analytical assistance. With no credible
claims of responsibility; conspiracy theories have
proliferated. The Lugo government, in the absence of any
further explosions, appears to be weathering the storm. END
SUMMARY.


2. (U) A DELIBERATE HARASSMENT CAMPAIGN: The recent wave of
bomb threats and incidents quite literally began with a bang
when a small improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at
the Supreme Court building on the morning of Wednesday, April

29. The device was found by a cleaning woman in the basement
women's restroom. She carried the device to police on duty
in the building who placed the device in an outside courtyard
where it exploded minutes later. There were no injuries. The
device was described as a watch attached by wires to several
tubes. The Paraguayan Police Special Forces (FOPE) requested
the assistance of the Regional Security Office (RSO) to
determine the type of explosives used. The RSO responded
with an Embassy Itemiser and determined the device contained
RDX and nitro. Paraguayan People's Army (EPP) propaganda was
reportedly found elsewhere in the downtown area the same day,
threatening corrupt judges and prosecutors, but did not
specifically mention the bombing. Jailed EPP leader Carmen
Villalba claimed responsibility for the attack later in the

day in a media interview, but EPP responsibility could not be
confirmed. There were no other claims of responsibility for
the bombing (Ref A).


3. (U) The second major incident took place at approximately
0800 on the morning of Tuesday, May 5. A device was found in
front of Saba Commercial, the downtown office complex of
prominent local businessman Gustavo Saba. (NOTE: Saba owns
numerous companies in Paraguay and represents various
multi-national corporations including Marlboro,
British-American Tobacco, Kraft and Miller Brewing. END NOTE)
FOPE explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) technicians
responded to the scene and the Regional Security Office was
again asked to assist. The RSO responded to the scene with
U.S. Special Operations (SOCFWD) explosives experts and
visiting FBI personnel. The RSO met with the Minister of
Interior Rafael Filizzola and National Police Commandant
Viviano Machado, who asked for assistance in moving the
device. After discussion it was determined neither Embassy
nor FOPE personnel had the necessary equipment to move the
device (and in the U.S. case, the desire). FOPE EOD
technicians then disrupted the device using a water cannon
(provided by DS/ATA in 2008). The device did not explode and
was harmlessly deactivated. Ensuing analysis by SOCFWD and
FOPE personnel using the Embassy Itemiser determined the
device contained no explosives, but was well made and
designed to look like an explosive device. May 5 saw the
beginning of the wave of phoned-in bomb threats, with threats
received at the government-run water utility and a police
identification center. In each situation the building was
evacuated and swept for explosives by FOPE EOD without
incident.


4. (U) At approximately 1030 on the morning of Wednesday, May
6, downtown Asuncion saw a particularly disturbing incident
with a device found in the women's restroom of a gasoline
station. The station had received 7,000 liters of fuel early
that morning. After evacuating the surrounding area, FOPE
EOD technicians disrupted the device without incident. The
Regional Security Office provided technical assistance in
determining if explosives were present. Traces of explosives
were found on the device, but it is likely the evidence was
contaminated by the water cannon used to disrupt the device.
The device was clearly designed to look like an IED, with
wires connecting a clock and batteries wrapped around two red
tubes. Bomb threats were called in on May 6 to a court
building and grade school as well.


5. (U) Another device was found on the morning of May 7, at a
health center. The device, a doll with the Spanish word for
bomb written on its head and chest as well as 'TNT' on its
stomach, was disrupted by FOPE EOD without incident. In this
case, as with the previous two, the device was clearly
intended to look like an IED, with red wires connecting the
head of the doll to the arms and legs. Almost one week
later, two other devices were found and disrupted on 12 May
and 18 May. The devices were found at the Columbia
University and a private residence in Luque, a suburb of
Asuncion. The devices were disrupted without incident by
FOPE EOD. Further analysis, by FOPE EOD, of the two devices
determined they did not have explosives present but were
likely fabricated by the same person. The materials used in
constructing the two devices, batteries and packing tape,
were identical and the manner of construction similar.


6. (U) PARAGUAYAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE: The initial response
by the Government of Paraguay was vocal and defiant.
Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola made a public statement
following the Supreme Court bombing on April 29, calling for
calm and stating that law enforcement had the situation under
control. The fake device incident at a downtown gas station
the following day prompted President Fernando Lugo to go on
national television and declare that a 'dirty war' was being
waged against the people of Paraguay. However, as the number
of threats has increased without another device detonating,
senior Paraguayan officials have let law enforcement take the
lead in addressing the situation. The Paraguayan National
Police have made several arrests in the case, but all
suspects have been freed following investigation or found to
be making copycat bomb threats. Security at government and
public utility buildings has been stepped up with public
access restricted and searches of vehicles and personnel at
entrances. The Paraguayan National Police and FOPE continue
to evacuate and search buildings when they receive a threat.
Repeated searches of large buildings, such as the evacuation
and search of an 300-bed municipal hospital on May 21, have
strained FOPE's capabilities and underscored a need for the
EOD unit to expand.


7. (C) U.S. ASSISTANCE: Paraguayan authorities have
consistently asked for and received technical assistance and
support from the United States throughout this situation.
The RSO, together with visiting FBI personnel and resident
U.S. military explosives experts, provided advice and
analysis on the first three devices. Currently the Regional
Security Office and FBI are working with Paraguayan criminal
investigators to send evidence from the various scenes to the
FBI forensic lab in Quantico for in-depth analysis. U.S.
Embassy analysts are also supporting the Paraguayan National
Police investigation with link analysis on cell phone data
gained from the various called in threats and tips provided
by Paraguayan citizens. A visiting U.S. government EOD
expert provided training to FOPE EOD technicians as well as
an assessment of their capabilities. The FOPE are assessed
to be an effective and professional force with the capability
to handle most EOD situations. While Paraguayan authorities
have repeatedly asked for high-tech EOD tools, such as
robots, the U.S. expert stated the FOPE needed to expand its
team by training additional personnel in search techniques,
instead of investing in advanced technology. The U.S. expert
also provided prioritized recommendations for FOPE training
and equipment needs. The Embassy is engaged in coordinating
further training for FOPE EOD personnel and possibly
additional equipment.


8. (SBU) PATTERNS AMONG THE THREATS: As the number of bomb
threats increased, several interesting patterns have emerged.
The presence of multiple fake explosive devices suggests a
deliberate campaign of harassment against the Paraguayan
government and law enforcement. The distribution of bomb
threats varies according to days of the week, with Saturdays
free of bomb threats and Monday to Friday averaging two to
three. May 11 and May 12 saw a large surge in the number of
threats, coinciding with campesino and anti-government
demonstrations in downtown Asuncion, with a total of 16
threats and one fake device on those two days. The locations
have also varied greatly over the course of the last three
weeks with a wide range of businesses, schools, government
buildings, private homes, and even a cemetery receiving
threats. Government buildings have been consistent targets,
with the Supreme Court building as the favorite receiving
four threats and one actual bomb. However, the number of
threats to schools and small businesses, such as the Don Vito
Empanada Restaurant, suggest at least some of the bomb
threats are copycats. One student confessed to calling in a
bomb threat to his university following his arrest.


9. (SBU) COMMENT: Analysis by both Paraguayan and U.S.
explosives experts indicates the fake devices are well
constructed and capable of detonating if connected to
explosives. Whoever is constructing the devices is electing
not to cause explosions and casualties. It seems unlikely
given the extensive nature of the Paraguayan black market,
and the successful first device, that they are unable to
obtain the relatively small quantities of explosives
necessary to stock the fake devices found to date.


10. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: As the number of threats climbs
with no credible claims of responsibility, conspiracy
theories have proliferated. The original theory of the
Paraguayan People's Army (EPP) involvement in the threats and
fake devices has given way to suspicion of multiple actors
working, perhaps independently, to destabilize the Lugo
government. Many suspect former coup-plotter retired General
Lino Oviedo of seeking to weaken confidence in Lugo's
administration. Others see the Colorado Party focused on
creating a crisis atmosphere and some even suggest the
unlikely theory Lugo himself is attempting to distract
attention from his domestic problems. Calls have increased
for the military to take to the streets to ensure order and
security given the continuing threats and the absence of any
substantive progress in the investigation. However up to
this point it is business as usual, with both the military
and police apparently loyal to civilian authority. The Lugo
government, in the absence of any further explosions, appears
to be weathering the storm.

Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion

AYALDE