GBRV BLAMES PARAMILITARIES FOR DEATHS OF 10 KIDNAP

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001376 SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER VE CO SUBJECT: GBRV BLAMES PARAMILITARIES FOR DEATHS OF 10 KIDNAP VICTIMS Classified By: Political Counselor Robin D. Meyer for Reason 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Venezuelan media reported that the bodies of 10 kidnap victims were discovered on October 24 in Tachira state along the border with Colombia. The deceased included a Venezuelan, a Peruvian, and eight Colombians who were kidnapped in Venezuela on October 11. The opposition-led Tachira state government and the Colombian government both blame the Colombian Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN) guerrilla group. The Venezuelan government (GBRV) first accused Colombian paramilitaries allegedly sent to assassinate President Chavez, then suggested eight of the victims were paramilitaries. The only survivor, Manuel "Junior" Cortes, was moved by a military airplane to a military hospital in Caracas. Sources in the Tachira state police have two theories behind the motivation, both pointing to the ELN as the perpetrators. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Venezuelan press reported on October 26 that the bodies of 10 kidnap victims were discovered on October 24 in multiple spots along a 220 kilometer front of the southern border of Tachira state and Colombia. The victims are believed to be from among the 12 people -- a Venezuelan, a Peruvian and 10 Colombians -- residing in Venezuela who were taken on October 11 from a pick-up soccer game in the Venezuelan town of Chururuu. According to witnesses at the game, armed men wearing green uniforms in three vehicles came during a break in the game and, working from a list of names, loaded 12 players onto trucks. Cortes, who feigned death after being shot in the neck, is quoted in the press as saying that the victims had been chained together or out in the sun and rain for almost two weeks. ¶3. (SBU) The Secretary General of Tachira State, Leomagno Flores, publicly accused the ELN of regular incursions into Tachira and of conducting the massacre. Venezuelan press reported Colombian President Uribe's statement that "terrorism is international and knows no borders," and offered Colombian cooperation so the perpetrators could be brought swiftly to justice. Venezuelan Vice President Carrizalez claimed on October 25 the killings were a direct result of the conflict in Colombia, adding that paramilitary groups had infiltrated Venezuela to assassinate President Chavez. On October 26, Carrizalez was suggesting the eight Colombian victims were paramilitaries infiltrated by the Colombian government. National Assembly Deputy Roy Daza deplored the murders and suggested Colombian Defense Minister Silva concentrate on drug trafficking and irregular armed groups instead of discrediting Venezuela. Tachira state governor Cesar Perez Vivas, during an October 26 press conference, called on President Chavez to act as Commander-in-Chief and remove all armed groups from Tachira. ¶4. (C) Tachira State Police Director Homero Ruiz Vivas (strictly protect) told POLOFF that there were two competing theories behind the kidnapping and murder of these men known as "Los Maniceros" or "peanut vendors," so named becuase they were seen on the streets selling snacks. According to Ruiz Vivas, one theory is that the Maniceros were an intelligence unit for Colombian paramilitaries operating inside Venezuela who were targeted by the ELN. The other theory is that the Maniceros were a cover for a violent criminal gang that injured a regional ELN leader. Ruiz Vivas said he has information there is an injured ELN boss hospitalized in a private facility, Centro Clinico de San Cristobal. Ruiz Vivas also said that Cortes said the lead kidnapper answered to "Comandante Payaso." ¶5. (SBU) The repatriation of the bodies of eight Colombian and the Peruvian to Colombia occurred the night of October 26 following delays and complications. Arrangements for a Colombian plane to fly the remains from Tachira to Colombia were suddenly canceled. The local district attorney's strict adherence to procedural paperwork also delayed the release and aggravated the survivors. The bodies were finally passed late in the night via hearses to Cucuta, Colombia. DUDDY