Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CARACAS935
2009-07-20 22:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
GBRV INCENSED OVER LEAKED GAO REPORT
how-toVZCZCXRO1919 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHCV #0935 2012229 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 202229Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3432 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000935
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2019
TAGS: PREL SNAR VE
SUBJECT: GBRV INCENSED OVER LEAKED GAO REPORT
Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DARNALL STEUART,
FOR REASON 1.4 (B) & (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000935
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2019
TAGS: PREL SNAR VE
SUBJECT: GBRV INCENSED OVER LEAKED GAO REPORT
Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DARNALL STEUART,
FOR REASON 1.4 (B) & (D)
1. (SBU) International media reports during the week of
July 13 referred to a "congressional report", classifying
Venezuela as "approaching a narco-state," have raised the ire
of the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
(GBRV). (Note: A GAO report on U.S. - Venezuelan
counter-drug cooperation was released July 20. End Note.)
Venezuela's top law man, Minister of Interior and Justice
Tarek El Aissami, told the press July 14, "the squeals of the
empire are of little concern." Defending Venezuela's record
based on United Nations statistics, El Aissami added that
the United States "acts like we're a colony." (Note: The
GBRV usually refers to the 2007 UNODC World Drug Report,
although the 2009 report lists Venezuela as being the leading
drug transit nation and states it has not eradicated a single
hectare of opium poppies nor coca bushes since 2005. End
Note.) President Hugo Chavez, while on a state visit to
Bolivia on July 17, called the report "another lie." He
accused the United States being the largest narco-trafficker
on the planet, adding that the report is "an imperialist
weapon ...to demonize countries they don't like."
2. (C) Comment: The reaction of the GBRV follows the
standard format of avoiding the substance of the report,
accusing the messenger and invoking sovereignty. While the
substance of the report will come as no surprise to
Venezuelans who increasingly suffer from drug related
violence, corruption and a culture of impunity, it will
complicate counter-drug engagement with the GBRV.
Nevertheless, state governments and local municipalities, fed
up with the central government's inaction, continue to engage
with the mission's Narcotics Affairs Section. End Comment
CAULFIELD
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2019
TAGS: PREL SNAR VE
SUBJECT: GBRV INCENSED OVER LEAKED GAO REPORT
Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DARNALL STEUART,
FOR REASON 1.4 (B) & (D)
1. (SBU) International media reports during the week of
July 13 referred to a "congressional report", classifying
Venezuela as "approaching a narco-state," have raised the ire
of the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
(GBRV). (Note: A GAO report on U.S. - Venezuelan
counter-drug cooperation was released July 20. End Note.)
Venezuela's top law man, Minister of Interior and Justice
Tarek El Aissami, told the press July 14, "the squeals of the
empire are of little concern." Defending Venezuela's record
based on United Nations statistics, El Aissami added that
the United States "acts like we're a colony." (Note: The
GBRV usually refers to the 2007 UNODC World Drug Report,
although the 2009 report lists Venezuela as being the leading
drug transit nation and states it has not eradicated a single
hectare of opium poppies nor coca bushes since 2005. End
Note.) President Hugo Chavez, while on a state visit to
Bolivia on July 17, called the report "another lie." He
accused the United States being the largest narco-trafficker
on the planet, adding that the report is "an imperialist
weapon ...to demonize countries they don't like."
2. (C) Comment: The reaction of the GBRV follows the
standard format of avoiding the substance of the report,
accusing the messenger and invoking sovereignty. While the
substance of the report will come as no surprise to
Venezuelans who increasingly suffer from drug related
violence, corruption and a culture of impunity, it will
complicate counter-drug engagement with the GBRV.
Nevertheless, state governments and local municipalities, fed
up with the central government's inaction, continue to engage
with the mission's Narcotics Affairs Section. End Comment
CAULFIELD