Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CARACAS1225
2009-09-18 19:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
OPPOSITON MAYOR GUNNED DOWN BY UNKNOWN KILLERS
how-toVZCZCXRO9516 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHCV #1225 2611939 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 181939Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3716 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1035 RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001225
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER VE CO
SUBJECT: OPPOSITON MAYOR GUNNED DOWN BY UNKNOWN KILLERS
Classified By: Political Counselor Robin D. Meyer
for Reason 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001225
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER VE CO
SUBJECT: OPPOSITON MAYOR GUNNED DOWN BY UNKNOWN KILLERS
Classified By: Political Counselor Robin D. Meyer
for Reason 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (SBU) On September 12, opposition Mayor Lluvane Alvarez
was shot dead in front of his house in Coloncito, a ranching
town in northern Tachira state. Mayor Alvarez was a member
of COPEI, Venezuela's Christian Democratic party and a strong
supporter of Tachira's COPEI Governor Cesar Perez Vivas.
According to witnesses, three men in a blue sedan fired on
Alvarez as he exited his pickup truck following a tour of
several public works projects and the local police station.
Leomagno Flores of the Tachira Governor's Office called on
the Prosecutor and the Criminal, Scientific and Penal
Investigative Corps (CICPC) to conduct a speedy and thorough
investigation.
2. (SBU) According to prior Venezuelan election practice,
a special election would have been held within 30 days of an
unexpected vacancy. However, the new law on electoral
procedures gives wide discretion to the National Electoral
Council on procedural matters, so it remains unclear when an
election may be called.
3. (C) According to San Cristobal Police Chief Angel
Perdomo, there are two theories regarding Alvazez's murder.
Since both the FARC and ELN operate in strength in that part
of Venezuela, Alvarez could have run afoul of either of those
groups. (Note: The President of the Tachira Cattlemen's
Association told POLOFF that ranchers are regular targets of
FARC kidnapping or protection rackets. End Note.) The
second theory, and by Perdomo's own admission less likely,
was that a political rival ordered the murder to force a
special election. Chavistas in Tachira place the blame on
Colombian right-wing paramilitaries.
DUDDY
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER VE CO
SUBJECT: OPPOSITON MAYOR GUNNED DOWN BY UNKNOWN KILLERS
Classified By: Political Counselor Robin D. Meyer
for Reason 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (SBU) On September 12, opposition Mayor Lluvane Alvarez
was shot dead in front of his house in Coloncito, a ranching
town in northern Tachira state. Mayor Alvarez was a member
of COPEI, Venezuela's Christian Democratic party and a strong
supporter of Tachira's COPEI Governor Cesar Perez Vivas.
According to witnesses, three men in a blue sedan fired on
Alvarez as he exited his pickup truck following a tour of
several public works projects and the local police station.
Leomagno Flores of the Tachira Governor's Office called on
the Prosecutor and the Criminal, Scientific and Penal
Investigative Corps (CICPC) to conduct a speedy and thorough
investigation.
2. (SBU) According to prior Venezuelan election practice,
a special election would have been held within 30 days of an
unexpected vacancy. However, the new law on electoral
procedures gives wide discretion to the National Electoral
Council on procedural matters, so it remains unclear when an
election may be called.
3. (C) According to San Cristobal Police Chief Angel
Perdomo, there are two theories regarding Alvazez's murder.
Since both the FARC and ELN operate in strength in that part
of Venezuela, Alvarez could have run afoul of either of those
groups. (Note: The President of the Tachira Cattlemen's
Association told POLOFF that ranchers are regular targets of
FARC kidnapping or protection rackets. End Note.) The
second theory, and by Perdomo's own admission less likely,
was that a political rival ordered the murder to force a
special election. Chavistas in Tachira place the blame on
Colombian right-wing paramilitaries.
DUDDY