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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09BOGOTA2921 |
DAS ONCE AGAIN EMBROILED IN DOMESTIC SPYING SCANDAL [...] (S/NF) The Administrative Department of Security (DAS) is once again under fire with illegal recordings of Colombian magistrates leaked to the press and airing on the radio. Press article contend that recent scandals and subsequent investigations have not stopped the GOC from monitoring domest [...] |
2009-09-10 15:12:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA2922 |
AMBASSADOR'S TRIP HIGHLIGHTS INCREASINGLY STRONG USG [...] (U) On August 25, the Ambassador gave the opening address to the tenth annual Fulbright conference on hemispheric relations at the Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla. He also inaugurated a U.S. Department of Commerce-sponsored corporate good governance program and met with leaders of the Ca [...] |
2009-09-10 21:57:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID ECON ETRD PGOV PHUM OEXC SOCI CO |
| 09BOGOTA2923 |
CODEL PRICE: COLOMBIANS EMPHASIZE DEFENSE COOPERATION, FREE [...] (U) The House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) visited Colombia from August 20-23. Led by Chairman David Price, HDAC met with President Uribe and Colombian Congressional leadership, including the Senate and House Foreign Affairs committees. President Uribe highlighted the successes of Pl [...] |
2009-09-11 14:13:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP EAID PGOV PREL SNAR PTER ETRD PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA2925 |
COLOMBIA SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF [...] (SBU) We welcome the visit of Paul Stockton, Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere. Your visit comes as a regional debate over a U.S.-Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) has heated up and amidst significant political developments. The Government of Colombia (GOC) [...] |
2009-09-11 16:33:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER PHUM MOPS MCAP MASS ASEC PREF ECON |
| 09BOGOTA2928 |
AMBASSADOR URGES LOW-KEY DCA SIGNING AND [...] No summary [...] |
2009-09-11 19:56:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR OPDC CO |
| 09BOGOTA2929 |
NAS MONTHLY REPORT FOR AUGUST 2009 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The aerial eradication team sprayed 5,868 hectares (ha) and, with 73,084 ha sprayed so far this year, is on track to reach the 100,000 ha calendar goal. Phase III of the GOC's 2009 manual eradication campaign began in early August; total manual coca eradication through August [...] |
2009-09-11 21:39:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR SENV KCRM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA2930 |
ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS SOFT POWER OF [...] (U) Summary: SOUTHCOM sponsored its second annual Marine Environmental Protection Conference in Cartagena from August 31-September 4. The conference introduced the Colombian Navy to a wide range of marine environmental enforcement issues and generated productive discussion among the particip [...] |
2009-09-12 15:46:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIS SENV ETRD MASS MCAP PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA294 |
COLOMBIA INCREASES FOCUS ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Despite accounting for less than 0.3 percent of global emissions, the Colombian Ministry of Environment (MOE) has placed increasing priority on climate change issues due to growing concerns of the impact on Colombia,s glaciers, coastal plains, and biodiversity. The MOE has inc [...] |
2009-01-29 16:03:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA2942 |
COLOMBIA SUPPORTS U.S. "CATEGORY A" MEMBERSHIP IN [...] No summary [...] |
2009-09-14 21:54:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV PHSA EFIS CO |
| 09BOGOTA2951 |
COLOMBIA: ANALYSTS AND OFFICIALS REVISE UPWARDS [...] (SBU) Summary. Finance Vice Minister Natalia Salazar told EconOffs on September 9 that the GOC expects 2009 GDP growth rate to be positive at around 0.5 percent, due primarily to an increase in public infrastructure projects. This complements Colombian analysts' reports which, as of Septembe [...] |
2009-09-15 17:07:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA2954 |
PRESIDENT URIBE TO ATTEND LAUNCH OF INTER-AMERICAN [...] No summary [...] |
2009-09-15 18:16:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KSUM SOCI ECON PREL OPDC CO |
| 09BOGOTA2958 |
AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP TARGETED [...] (C) Ambassador Brownfield visited the prominent Colombian human rights NGO, the Colombian Commission of Jurists (CCJ) on September 4 to launch the Embassy's new human rights strategy. CCJ Director Gustavo Gallon attributed responsibility for illegal intelligence collection by the Administrati [...] |
2009-09-15 21:24:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA2961 |
MILITARY'S MOMENTUM SLOWS: COLOMBIA CONFLICT [...] (C) Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) demobilizations continued to decline in the second quarter of 2009, as did FARC kills and captures by the Colombian military. National Liberation Army (ELN) demobilizations remained higher. FARC Secretariat member Jorge Briceno (alias "Mono J [...] |
2009-09-16 14:42:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET | MOPS MCAP PTER MARR ASEC SNAR CO |
| 09BOGOTA2962 |
UK INSTITUTE TO PUBLISH CONTENTS OF FARC LAPTOPS [...] (C) Vice Minister of Defense Sergio Jaamillo told us on September 10 that the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London plans to publish the contents of the hard drives belonging to deceased Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Secretariat member Raul Reyes. The [...] |
2009-09-16 14:49:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PGOV PTER ASEC CO |
| 09BOGOTA2963 |
AMBASSADOR AND VP SANTOS DISCUSS RESPONSE TO DAS [...] (S/NF) The Ambassador met with Vice President Francisco Santos and Administrative Department of Security (DAS) Director Felipe Munoz on September 15 to discuss DAS wiretapping scandals (reftel). The Ambassador made clear that the USG was close to severing all relations with the DAS. He stressed [...] |
2009-09-16 15:16:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KJUS ASEC CO |
| 09BOGOTA2964 |
IAEA MIDDLE EAST DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] |
2009-09-16 15:34:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL AORC PARM KNNP IAEA EG IS CO |
| 09BOGOTA2965 |
COLOMBIA SHARES OUR IRAN CONCERNS [...] No summary [...] |
2009-09-16 15:35:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KNNP MNUC PARM IAEA AORC IR CO |
| 09BOGOTA2977 |
COLOMBIA OK WITH MAJORS LIST DETERMINATION FOR [...] (C) Deputy Political Counselor delivered reftel demarche to MFA Acting Director for Multilateral Political Affairs Margarita Orozco and Director for U.S. and Canadian Affairs Adriana Maldonado on September 14. Deputy Polcouns stressed that the USG was committed to remaining engaged with Bolivi [...] |
2009-09-16 18:52:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SNAR UN BL CO |
| 09BOGOTA298 |
ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN PROMPTS CUTS TO COLOMBIAN [...] (C) Summary. Reacting to a projected economic slowdown in 2009, the Government of Colombia (GOC) plans to cut the national budget by $1.4 billion, including a proposed $190 million reduction to the defense budget. The proposal would reduce future expenditures on ammunition, rifles, communicat [...] |
2009-01-29 21:16:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PTER MASS MCAP CO |
| 09BOGOTA2998 |
COLOMBIA SEEKS U.S. SUPPORT FOR SEAT ON PAHO [...] This is an action request, see para 2. 2. (U) The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) delivered a diplomatic note requesting USG support in obtaining one of three vacant seats on the Executive Committee of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) at elections this month in Was [...] |
2009-09-17 15:53:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL SOCI CO |
| 09BOGOTA3000 |
GOC RESPONSE TO TVPRA LIST OF GOODS PRODUCED WITH [...] (U) Post delivered reftel demarche to GOC officials on September 9 concerning the release of the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) "List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor." Only the Ministry of Social Protection (MPS) responded to the demarche, providing the embassy with a detai [...] |
2009-09-17 19:48:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB EAID ETRD PGOV PREL PTER USTR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3004 |
LIBERAL PARTY TO TEST ITS STRENGTH IN UPCOMING [...] (SBU) Liberal Party insiders hope for a robust turnout in their September 27 primary to select local leaders and a presidential candidate in what they see as a test of strength. Cesar Gaviria, former president and head of the party, is publicly hammering away at the reelection referendum whil [...] |
2009-09-18 14:26:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3006 |
COLOMBIAN TELECOM: VM TALKS UP SATELLITE, PLEDGES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Viceminister of Communications Daniel Medina explained to us the benefits to governance, education, health, and quality of life the GOC hopes to reap by launching a satellite in 2012. He expressed the importance the GOC attaches to a clean and transparent bidding process. Embo [...] |
2009-09-18 16:29:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECPS ECON EINV ETTC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3011 |
AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MOD SILVA REGARDING UNASUR [...] (S/NF) The Ambassador met with Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva during a Colombian Air Force ceremony in Tres Esquinas, Caqueta on September 16, 2009. Silva said that the Government of Colombia (GOC) was satisfied with the outcome of the September 15 UNASUR summit in Quito, Ecuador. S [...] |
2009-09-18 18:19:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL MARR MCAP MOPS PGOV PTER KTIA CO |
| 09BOGOTA3016 |
COLOMBIA WILL SUPPORT U.S. CANDIDATE FOR ICSC [...] No summary [...] |
2009-09-18 19:24:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC APER PREL UNGA KAWC KJUS KUNR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3018 |
URIBE SET TO DISMANTLE DAS [...] (U) President Uribe announced on September 17th that he favored dismantling the wiretapping scandal-ridden Administrative Department of Security (DAS). In a much-anticipated move (reftels), Uribe proposed a much smaller entity managed by the Colombian National Police (CNP) that would focus on [...] |
2009-09-18 21:02:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KJUS PREL PHUM PINR ASEC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3027 |
GETTING OUT IN FRONT ON HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (SBU) Our review of the principal human rights issues in Colombia has prompted Embassy Bogota to adopt a new human rights strategy that will more clearly state the USG's support for human rights here and those who defend them. We will adopt a rigorous agenda of meetings at the Ambassadorial an [...] |
2009-09-21 19:56:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KJUS ELAB PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA303 |
COLOMBIA: UN FIELD COVERAGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (SBU) The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has ready access to the GOC as an advisor and advocate on human rights issues. The OHCHR successfully influenced GOC reforms on key issues, such as the Justice and Peace Law and the Code of Military Justice, and works closely [...] |
2009-01-30 19:57:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA3031 |
UNDP LABOR VIOLENCE STUDY KICKS OFF [...] (C) The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Colombia launched its long-anticipated labor violence study with an Ambassador-level planning meeting (which Ambassador Brownfield attended) and working-level workshop on September 4, 2009. The study will analyze the causes and effects of la [...] |
2009-09-21 20:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB EAID ETRD PGOV PREL PTER USTR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3033 |
COLOMBIA'S INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS AND BUSINESS [...] (SBU) Summary: The World Bank and World Economic Forum (WEF) published their "Doing Business" and "Global Competitiveness Index" reports on September 8. Colombia's ranking improved in both publications. The World Bank listed Colombia as the best country in Latin America for doing business, [...] |
2009-09-21 21:43:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD EINV PGOV PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA3035 |
Uribe Informs Ambassador of DAS Investigation Developments [...] (S/NF) President Alvaro Uribe emphasized to the Ambassador and DCM on September 21 that he is determined to get to the bottom of the scandals surrounding the Administrative Department of Security (DAS) (see reftels). New evidence indicates that the orders for improper wiretaps, including of an [...] |
2009-09-22 13:34:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV KJUS PREL PHUM PINR ASEC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3037 |
COLOMBIA: UNGA REDLINE DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] No summary [...] |
2009-09-22 14:01:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL UNGA CO |
| 09BOGOTA3039 |
COLOMBIA SUPPORTS U.S. EFFORT TO RATIFY THE CTBT [...] No summary [...] |
2009-09-22 18:52:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PARM KNNP IN PK CO |
| 09BOGOTA3043 |
(C/NF) COLOMBIAN SENATOR CLAIMS DEATH THREATS BY URIBE [...] (C/NF) Opposition Senator Rodrigo Lara told us he received death threats that he believes emanate from influential supporters of President Alvaro Uribe. Lara - son of a crusading Justice Minister slain by Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel - claims his own anti-corruption efforts unearthed corrup [...] |
2009-09-23 15:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PTER KJUS SNAR |
| 09BOGOTA3045 |
SCENESETTER FOR ONDCP DIRECTOR KERLIKOWSKE [...] (SBU) Embassy Bogota warmly welcomes the visit of R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Your visit comes as Colombia faces new challenges from narcotrafficking groups as well as some political uncertainty. The Colombian Congress has just approved a referend [...] |
2009-09-23 23:18:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR OVIP PREL PGOV PHUM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3047 |
URIBE'S PARTY WINS BIG IN POLITICAL MUSICAL CHAIRS [...] President Uribe's "U" party consolidated its Congressional base as part of a political reform that gave members until September 14 to change parties. While the changes left the balance of power between Uribe's coalition and the opposition in the Congress unchanged, the "U" and Conservative Par [...] |
2009-09-23 23:51:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PTER PREL PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA3049 |
MURDERS OF UNIONISTS DROP AS PROSECUTIONS INCREASE [...] (SBU) The number of trade unionist killings to date in 2009 is 24, 47% less than the same period in 2008. The Prosecutor General's Labor Crimes Sub-Unit has racked up 44 convictions in 2009 against perpetrators of violence against unionists. The majority of Colombian unionists work in the pub [...] |
2009-09-24 16:25:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB EAID ETRD PGOV PHUM PREL PTER USTR CO |
| 09BOGOTA305 |
GOC PRIVATIZATION OF PROTECTION PROGRAM [...] (U) Interior and Justice Minister (MOIJ) Fabio Valencia announced January 26 that the GOC-funded and administered protection program for at-risk individuals, including unionists and human rights defenders, will be contracted out to a private security firm starting January, 2010. The body guar [...] |
2009-01-30 20:13:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PGOV PREL ECON SOCI CO |
| 09BOGOTA3051 |
Supreme Court Refuses To Appoint Uribe Nominee for [...] (C) Tensions between President Alvaro Uribe and the Supreme Court flared September 16 when the Court refused to accept Uribe's slate of three nominees for Prosecutor General. Questioning the suitability, honesty, and independence of the proposed candidates, the Court voted to declare that the [...] |
2009-09-24 20:53:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3057 |
Supreme Court Refuses To Appoint Uribe Nominee for [...] (C) Tensions between President Alvaro Uribe and the Supreme Court flared September 16 when the Court refused to accept Uribe's slate of three nominees for Prosecutor General. Questioning the suitability, honesty, and independence of the proposed candidates, the Court voted to declare that the [...] |
2009-09-25 06:06:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3062 |
Air Bridge Denial: August 2009 Program Update [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. This is the monthly Air Bridge Denial (ABD) activity report for August, 2009, as required by Reftel. The Government of Colombia (GOC) sorted 2,880 tracks during August. There were three Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS) for the month. END SUMMARY. ------- Tracks --- [...] |
2009-09-22 20:20:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3070 |
Air Bridge Denial: August 2009 Program Update [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. This is the monthly Air Bridge Denial (ABD) activity report for August, 2009, as required by Reftel. The Government of Colombia (GOC) sorted 2,880 tracks during August. There were three Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS) for the month. END SUMMARY. ------- Tracks --- [...] |
2009-09-22 21:50:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3072 |
Air Bridge Denial: August 2009 Program Update [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. This is the monthly Air Bridge Denial (ABD) activity report for August, 2009, as required by Reftel. The Government of Colombia (GOC) sorted 2,880 tracks during August. There were three Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS) for the month. END SUMMARY. ------- Tracks --- [...] |
2009-09-23 13:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3073 |
THE AWA ARE PLEASED WITH RESPONSE TO MASSACRE, WELCOME USG [...] (C) On September 15 the DCM and several USG officials met with the president of the Awa Indigenous People's Unity Association (UNIPA), Gabriel Bisbicus, and several representatives of the Awa community. Bisbicus said the Prosecutor General's investigation into the killing of 12 Awa by unknown [...] |
2009-09-25 22:08:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PGOV PTER KJUS MOPS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3075 |
QUARTERLY HUMAN RIGHTS CONSULTATION FOCUSES ON "OFFENSIVE [...] (U) Charge d'Affaires Brian Nichols hosted the Embassy's quarterly consultations with human rights groups on September 14. As agreed previously with the groups, the discussion focused on issues dealing with general criteria for the Human Rights Certification process. The groups focused on the i [...] |
2009-09-28 14:32:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KJUS ELAB PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3081 |
HFCS Demarche Delivered to Colombian MFA [...] No summary [...] |
2009-09-28 17:33:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV AORC KGHG CO |
| 09BOGOTA3093 |
COLOMBIA-ECUADOR TIES THAWING [...] (C/NF) Colombia and Ecuador announced on September 24 that they had begun the process of re-establishing diplomatic relations, which Ecuador severed in March 2008 after a Colombian military raid against a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) camp in Ecuadorian territory. The two sides [...] |
2009-09-29 15:02:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM KJUS PTER ETRD OAS CO EC |
| 09BOGOTA3097 |
OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES HIGHLIGHT WEAKNESS IN THE [...] (U) Former Defense Minister Rafael Pardo of the Liberal Party and Senator Gustavo Petro of the Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA) won their parties' presidential primaries on September 27. These two opposition parties viewed the elections as a test of strength but voter turnout was much lower t [...] |
2009-09-29 18:34:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3123 |
CONSOLIDATION EFFORTS IN NARINO PROMPTS FARC THREAT [...] (C/NF) The Colombian National Police (CNP) obtained on August 22 a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) 29th Front pamphlet declaring all social projects under the GOC's National Consolidation Plan (PNC) military targets. The CNP has reviewed the communique and believes it to be authe [...] |
2009-10-05 13:20:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER SNAR EAID CO |
| 09BOGOTA3127 |
COURTS CONSIDER TWO CONTROVERSIAL STRIKES AT DRUMMOND AND [...] (C) Two controversial court cases concerning strikes in the coal sector have reached the highest levels of the Colombian judicial system. The National Mining and Energy Industry Workers' Union (SINTRAMIENERGETICA) initiated the first strike over work-safety issues at Drummond's La Loma coal mi [...] |
2009-10-05 15:53:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB EAID ETRD KJUS PHUM PREL USTR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3128 |
FRAUD SUMMARY - COLOMBIA [...] This country fraud summary from the Bogota Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) covers the period from February 2009 to August 2009. --------------------- A. Country Conditions --------------------- 2. Despite improving security and positive, but slower economic growth in Colombia du [...] |
2009-09-30 19:15:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | CVIS CPAS CMGT ASEC KFRD CO |
| 09BOGOTA3129 |
SEPTEMBER HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE [...] (C) The United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders called on the GOC to increase dialogue with civil society and to allocate resources for criminal investigations into threats against defenders at the conclusion of her visit September 7-18. The United Nations Children's Fund p [...] |
2009-10-05 16:23:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS ELAB PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA3145 |
CRITICS CHARGE URIBE THIRD TERM BAD FOR DEMOCRACY [...] (C) President Alvaro Uribe's approval ratings remain steady at around 70% and he is expected to secure approval from the Constitutional Court for a referendum on reelection. Critics from across the ideological spectrum argue that a third term for President Uribe would further erode the quality [...] |
2009-10-08 16:22:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KJUS KDEM CO |
| 09BOGOTA3147 |
COLOMBIA'S PUBLIC BIDDING PROCESS COMES UNDER SCRUTINY [...] (C) SUMMARY. The September resignation of the National Concessions Institute Director, amid allegations of corruption, underscores the fragility and inconsistency associated with the bidding process on public projects in Colombia. Dealings with the Ministries of Transportation and Communica [...] |
2009-10-08 20:06:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV ECPS MARR PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3160 |
AMBASSADOR'S TRIP HIGHLIGHTS THE DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN [...] (U) The Ambassador participated in a September 16 ceremony to transfer ownership of five counterdrug radar installations to the Colombian Air Force (COLAF). The ceremony was held at the Tres Esquinas Air Force Base, in a remote area near the Colombia-Ecuador border. The transfer ceremony incl [...] |
2009-10-02 17:43:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID MARR PHUM PTER SNAR AORC MOPS |
| 09BOGOTA317 |
WILL COLOMBIA-ECUADOR TRADE DRY UP?: A VIEW FROM [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Ecuador's balance of payments safeguard measures have left Colombian policymakers and business community leaders frustrated and concerned over the future of the commercial relationship with their third largest export market. The economic outlook in the border department of Nar [...] |
2009-02-02 21:23:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ECIN PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA3177 |
COLOMBIA PROPOSES ITS OWN CIA [...] (U) On October 8, the government submitted a bill to Colombian Congress that would authorize the President to dismantle the scandal-ridden Administrative Department of Security (DAS) and in its place create a "truly civilian intelligence agency" nominally called the "Central Intelligence Agency [...] |
2009-10-12 18:52:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PINR KCRM CO |
| 09BOGOTA3185 |
UPDATE ON ILLEGAL WIRETAP SCANDALS [...] (S/NF) Colombian Government officials continue to engage in damage control in the wake of wiretap scandals embroiling the Administrative Department of Security (DAS) and the Prosecutor General's Office. The Prosecutor General's Office is investigating alleged crimes by former DAS officials as [...] |
2009-10-13 23:22:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM PINR KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3187 |
GOC EFFORTS TO PROTECT EDUCATION-SECTOR UNIONISTS [...] (SBU) About 40% of murdered unionists in Colombia are public-sector educators. Ministry of Education (MOE) officials and labor leaders told us that armed groups and criminal gangs target educators because of their involvement in community affairs and politics. The Colombian Federation of Educ [...] |
2009-10-14 20:29:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB EAID ETRD PGOV PHUM PREL USTR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3188 |
COLOMBIA: REPONSE TO OPIC ON MICROFINANCE GROWTH FUND [...] (SBU) Summary: Embassy contacts at Colombia's National Association of Financial Institutions (ANIF) described the Women's World Banking (WWB) microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Bucaramanga, Cali, and Popayan as outstanding lending institutions with a solid reputation in Colombia. Forbes Mag [...] |
2009-10-08 13:21:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINT EFIN OPIC CO EINV |
| 09BOGOTA3189 |
BOGOTA DELIVERED DEMARCHE ON GOLDSTONE REPORT [...] No summary [...] |
2009-10-14 22:29:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM PTER KPAL IS |
| 09BOGOTA319 |
FARC RELEASES ADDITIONAL HOSTAGES IN ATTEMPT TO [...] (C) The FARC released four "political hostages," including three police and one soldier, on February 1 to Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba and the ICRC. Brazil provided logistical support, including two helicopters. The FARC's last two civilian "political" hostages--former Meta Governor Alan [...] |
2009-02-02 22:52:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA3204 |
AMBASSADOR'S VISIT HIGHLIGHTS USG INTEREST IN SAN ANDRES [...] (SBU) The Ambassador traveled to San Andres, Colombia on September 22-23, to highlight U.S. interest in San Andres and discuss how the United States can best support the development of the island. The Ambassador was briefed by the Governor, leaders in conservation and tourism, leaders of the A [...] |
2009-10-09 15:04:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID OEXC PREL KLSO SNAR SENV PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA3223 |
AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MOD SILVA ON AFGHANISTAN DEPLOYMENT [...] (S/NF) The Ambassador met with Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva and Vice Minister Sergio Jaramillo on October 1, 2009. Silva told the Ambassador that the Government of Colombia (GOC) wants to complete the U.S.-Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and review of Track II issues [...] |
2009-10-16 20:19:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL MARR MCAP MOPS PGOV PTER PHUM AF CO |
| 09BOGOTA3231 |
UNHCHR PROPOSES PURGING INTELLIGENCE FILES, MONITORING [...] (C) United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Chief of Mission Christian Salazar requested on October 8 that the Ambassador support two UNHCHR proposals: a multi-year purging of intelligence files and a two-year monitoring of the military's implementation of its human rights pol [...] |
2009-10-19 19:13:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KJUS PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3236 |
COLOMBIA: POTENTIAL DESTINATION FOR OPIC-SUPPORTED RENEWABLE [...] Summary: Colombia is a rich environment for renewable energy investment and would benefit from additional financing from the USRG Emerging Market Fund, LP. Colombia is a regional leader in the production of biofuels, specifically ethanol and biodiesel. Wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric pro [...] |
2009-10-15 00:11:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV OPIC CO ENRG |
| 09BOGOTA3241 |
GOC MAKES INITIAL ARRESTS IN AWA MASSACRE [...] (C) The Colombian National Police (CNP) arrested five members of the criminal band "Cockroaches" ("Las cucarachas") for their alleged involvement in the August 26 murders of 12 Awa indigenous. United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Chief of Mission Christian Salazar said prose [...] |
2009-10-20 22:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3253 |
POSSIBLE BOMB PLOT TARGETING A U.S. EMBASSY [...] (S) SUMMARY- On October 23, 2009, the RSO office received information from DEA Bogota that there is a possible plan using explosives targeting a U.S Embassy. The information was obtained from a recorded conversation between a DEA source and a Colombian Drug Trafficker. The validity of the so [...] |
2009-10-23 23:06:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET | ASEC PTER |
| 09BOGOTA3254 |
EXTRADITION APPROVED FOR PYRAMID SCHEME MASTERMIND [...] (SBU) On October 14, the Colombian Supreme Court approved the extradition of David Murcia Guzman, head of the Colombian financial services firm DMG and the prime suspect in one of the largest pyramid schemes in Colombia. The ruling comes a month after the Court denied the U.S. extradition requ [...] |
2009-10-15 23:02:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SNAR KJUS KCRM EFIN CO |
| 09BOGOTA3256 |
AIR BRIDGE DENIAL: SEPTEMBER 2009 PROGRAM UPDATE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. This is the monthly Air Bridge Denial (ABD) activity report for September 2009, as required by Reftel. The Government of Colombia (GOC) sorted 1,703 tracks during September. There were three Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS) for the month. END SUMMARY. ------- Tracks [...] |
2009-10-15 23:58:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3261 |
COLOMBIAN FRUSTRATION MOUNTS OVER INACTION ON U.S.-CTPA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. While Colombians generally understand U.S. political realities associated with a vote on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (U.S.-CTPA), resignation has grown within the Colombian government, business and academic communities over the lack of action on the accord. T [...] |
2009-10-26 17:12:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD ECON PREL ELAB EINV PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3262 |
SEPTEMBER COLOMBIA STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT INTIATIVE UPDATE [...] (U) Diego Molano was named the new head of the President's Agency for Social Action and International Cooperation (Accion Social). The GOC has officially changed the name of "Fusion Centers" to "Regional Coordination Centers." Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul Stockton visited the Plan for [...] |
2009-10-16 13:26:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM EAID SNAR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3265 |
COLOMBIA CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR US CANDIDATE FOR ICSC [...] No summary [...] |
2009-10-27 21:44:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC APER PREL UNGA KAWC KJUS KUNR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3267 |
COLOMBIA: GOVERNMENT SHOWS DECLINE IN NEW DISPLACEMENTS, [...] (U) The Colombian Government's (GOC) national registry of internally displaced persons (IDPs) shows a 10% decline in displacements in 2008. Social Action (Accion Social), the GOC's development agency charged with IDP assistance coordination, has registered only 86,397 new displacements through [...] |
2009-10-27 21:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREF PGOV PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3269 |
JUAN MANUEL SANTOS DISCUSSES PRESIDENTIAL PROSPECTS WITH [...] (C) Former Minister of Defense and pre-candidate for President Juan Manuel Santos told Ambassador October 23 he believes President Alvaro Uribe is leaning toward reelection but may fail to fulfill the legal and electoral steps to achieve it. While promoting the third term for Uribe, Santos is [...] |
2009-10-27 23:00:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KJUS PHUM CO EC VE |
| 09BOGOTA3271 |
CNP HYPOTHESIS AS TO ILLEGAL WIRETAPS MASTERMINDS [...] (S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX told PolCouns and XXXXXXXXXXXX Colombia DeskOfficer on October 21 that the analysis of cell phone calls made by the six signers of mala fide judicial telephone intercept orders (see reftels) submitted to the Prosecutor General's Office pointed to an individual named XXXXXXX [...] |
2009-10-27 23:05:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PTER PINR PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3277 |
Judicial Institutions' Family Feuds [...] (SBU) Colombia's dizzying array of judicial institutions has always made understanding and navigating its judicial system complicated and time-consuming. Moreover, recent turf battles have frozen the implementation of some policies and threaten to plunge the judicial system into crisis. Inspe [...] |
2009-10-28 21:42:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KJUS SOCI KWMN PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3281 |
GOC TAKES SOUNDINGS ON ELN PEACE TALKS [...] (S) The Government of Colombia (GOC) and National Liberation Army (ELN) continue to flirt with an official peace process but are far from taking concrete steps to initiate talks. Former National Liberation Army (ELN) peace negotiator Francisco Galan initiated an "exploration" of renewed peace [...] |
2009-10-29 18:11:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3283 |
Supreme Court Still Pressing Uribe for New Prosecutor [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Supreme Court remains at an impasse with President Uribe regarding the selection of a new Prosecutor General (Fiscal General), maintaining its position that Uribe's slate of candidates ("terna") for the position are unqualified. Despite Uribe's recent nomination of administra [...] |
2009-10-29 23:24:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3285 |
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: COLOMBIA NOT READY TO CO-SPONSOR WTO [...] (U) Econoff delivered reftel points and background in a joint demarche with officials from the Embassies of Japan and Switzerland to Juan Carlos Cadena, Director of Commercial Relations within Colombia's Ministry of Trade. Cadena said that the GOC remains committed to eliminating non-ta [...] |
2009-10-29 23:25:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN ETRD PREL ECON WTRO CO |
| 09BOGOTA3287 |
GOC REACTS CALMLY TO MASSACRE IN VENEZUELA, BUT WORRIES [...] (C/NF) The GOC has little information on the apparent massacre of nine Colombians (along with one Peruvian and one Venezuelan) whose bodies were discovered on October 24 in the Venezuelan state of Tachira. GOC officials say the GBRV has shared little and has paid no heed to Colombian offers of [...] |
2009-10-30 19:57:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM KJUS PTER CO VE |
| 09BOGOTA3289 |
AMBASSADOR SIGNED DCA ON OCTOBER 30 IN LOW-KEY CEREMONY [...] (SBU) The Ambassador signed the U.S. - Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in a low-key, private ceremony on October 30 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as instructed per reftel. Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaime Bermudez Merizalde, Minister of Defense Gabriel Silva Lujan, and Mini [...] |
2009-10-30 20:38:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MARR MASS PREL MOPS MCAP PGOV PTER KTIA CO |
| 09BOGOTA3296 |
REP. MEEKS RECEIVES RECOGNITION FOR WORK ON AFRO-COLOMBIAN [...] (U) Representative Gregory Meeks visited Cali October 11-12 to receive an award from the University Santiago of Cali (USC) for his work promoting the rights of the Afro-Colombian community. He also met with: Afro-Colombian Fulbright students; the Board of Directors of USC; members of the Afro- [...] |
2009-10-16 17:30:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OVIP PGOV PREL PHUM ECON CO |
| 09BOGOTA330 |
BOGOTA RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY [...] On January 30, Post delivered all points in reftel to Patricia Cortes, Director of the MFA's Office of U.S. and Canadian Affairs. Cortes told us that the Colombian Government's point of contact for NPT related issues will be Nhora Quintero, Coordinator for Disarmament in the MFA. The Embassy [...] |
2009-02-03 20:29:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC ENRG MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA KNNP CO |
| 09BOGOTA3300 |
NAS Monthly Report for September 2009 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: During September, aerial and manual eradicators experienced an uptick in attacks on eradication efforts. The complaints committee's resources are strained as a deluge of new claims of alleged spray damage to legal crops in the CSDI-priority zone of Narino continues. The aeria [...] |
2009-10-16 19:09:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR SENV KCRM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3301 |
FLOWER UNION WITHERS AFTER LABOR DISPUTE [...] (C) A labor dispute at a bankrupt flower farm is a case of lose-lose negotiating in Colombia. When workers occupied the Benilda, S.A. plantation in September to protest unpaid benefits, the company went into bankruptcy. The owner claimed he was hamstrung by high labor costs and currency appre [...] |
2009-11-03 16:42:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB EAID ETRD PGOV PHUM PREL USTR LAB CO |
| 09BOGOTA3302 |
U.S. COMPANY DISTRAUGHT OVER PUBLICITY LINKING IT TO LABOR [...] (SBU) Summary: The President of Drummond in Colombia contends there is a concerted effort to link the U.S. firm with the murder of two labor leaders in 2001. Despite being declared innocent of any involvement in a U.S. court, the company is frustrated over the negative press it has received [...] |
2009-10-16 19:31:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ECON PREL ETRD EINV PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3305 |
Court Orders Further Investigation Into Santo Domingo [...] (C) The Twelfth Circuit Trial Judge of Bogota convicted two pilots of murder on September 24 for their involvement in the 1998 bombing of the village of Santo Domingo, Arauca that left 17 dead. The presiding judge ordered an investigation into then Major Sergio Garzon Velez, now a Colonel and t [...] |
2009-11-03 19:57:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KJUS MOPS MASS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3309 |
COLOMBIA PUSHES FORWARD WITH AMBITIOUS TRADE AGENDA [...] (U) SUMMARY. The Government of Colombia continues to make progress toward its goal of having nine free trade agreements (FTAs) with 45 countries in place by 2010. While not all nine are likely to be in force by next year, Colombia is already looking to other trade partners in the Hemisphere [...] |
2009-11-05 16:23:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON ECIN PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA3313 |
A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS HEATS UP COLOMBIA-VENEZUELA [...] (C/NF) The GOC is remaining cool in the face of rising bilateral tensions with Venezuela, with President Uribe and Foreign Minister Bermudez publicly calling for calm on November 4. However, observers worry Venezuelan actions reveal an aggressive intent. The GBRV blames alleged Colombian param [...] |
2009-11-05 18:37:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM KJUS PTER ETRD VE CO |
| 09BOGOTA3332 |
CIVAIR: RESULT OF REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION OF FAA VIOLATION [...] Summary. Per reftel, ECONOFF delivered a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) request for investigation on August 26 to Aeronautica Civil (AeroCivil), Colombia's civil aviation authority, regarding an FAA violation committed by Colombian national Eduardo Andres Luna Beltran. Mr. Luna violat [...] |
2009-10-20 18:21:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3333 |
Ambassador Discusses DAS Scandal and Judicial Cooperation [...] (C) SUMMARY: Supreme Court President Augusto Ibanez thanked the Ambassador for USG support in ensuring a successful U.S. visit for Colombian judges and emphasized the Court's desire for ongoing collaboration. The Ambassador impressed upon Ibanez the need for continued exchange programs between [...] |
2009-11-09 13:40:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PINR KJUS PHUM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3335 |
URIBE HEARS WAR DRUMS IN VENEZUELA [...] (S) Just after meeting with President Uribe and the military high command, Minister of Defense Gabriel Silva called the Ambassador on the evening of November 8. They believe that Venezuelan President Chavez' public declarations earlier that afternoon represented a major ratcheting up of war rhetori [...] |
2009-11-09 15:41:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET | PREL PGOV PINR KJUS MOPS OAS CO VE |
| 09BOGOTA3343 |
AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PROMINENT LABOR LEADER [...] (U) The Ambassador expressed USG support for the essential role unions play in healthy democratic societies in an October 29 meeting with the General Confederation of Workers (CGT). The CGT is one of the three main labor confederations in Colombia, with 270,000 members organized into approxima [...] |
2009-11-10 17:54:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB EAID ETRD PGOV PHUM PREL USTR LAB CO |
| 09BOGOTA3347 |
COLOMBIA'S CLOUDY ELECTIONS PANORAMA [...] (SBU) As the May 30, 2010 presidential election draws nearer, campaigns have begun and the field of candidates is slowly being whittled down. However, the potential referendum to allow President Uribe to run for a third term combined with missing electoral rules of the game (especially regardi [...] |
2009-11-12 14:00:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL PHUM PINR OAS CO |
| 09BOGOTA335 |
COLOMBIA RAISING ITS REGIONAL PROFILE, STARTING [...] (C) High-level meetings between Colombian and Mexican officials in recent months highlight the GOC's growing willingness to take on a leadership role in the region in combating terrorism, narcotics and other criminal activity. The two countries are working more closely than ever to fight narc [...] |
2009-02-03 21:25:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO SNAR |
| 09BOGOTA3350 |
COLOMBIA: EL NINO TAKING A TOLL ON ENERGY SECTOR [...] (SBU) Summary. Colombia's energy sector is suffering the drying effects of the climatic phenomenon, El Nino. The recent lack of rain has severely lowered dam reserve levels, decreased hydroelectric power usage, and prompted President Uribe to urge Colombians to lower their water and energy u [...] |
2009-10-22 00:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG ECON CO |
| 09BOGOTA3359 |
IS ASIA COLOMBIA'S NEXT ECONOMIC FRONTIER? [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Colombia is making a concerted effort to increase exports to, and investment from, Asia. The GOC is actively negotiating and implementing bilateral economic agreements with several Asian countries. Likewise, Colombia is seeking membership in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperat [...] |
2009-11-12 21:40:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EINV ECON PREL ECIN APECO CO |
| 09BOGOTA3361 |
Blue Lantern Broker Inquiry K -2547 [...] (SBU) Summary. Per reftel, Emboffs visited Vertical de Aviacion Ltda on November 9 to verify the bona fides of the company as a broker to import items from the United States Munitions List. Representatives from Vertical de Aviacion stated that they are interested in importing night vision devic [...] |
2009-11-12 21:46:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETTC KOMC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3362 |
TELLING COLOMBIA'S STORY: FROM FAILING STATE TO STABLE ALLY [...] (SBU) The Ambassador challenged the Embassy's Country Team to critique and refine Post's strategic mission during the annual offsite meeting on October 5. The Country Team developed several objectives for the coming year, including: articulating and promoting the USG message on human rights i [...] |
2009-10-23 14:19:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ECON EAID PHUM PREF PTER MARR SNAR ETRD |
| 09BOGOTA3365 |
OCTOBER HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE [...] (C) On October 26, the DCM addressed a labor event and conveyed the USG's strong support for the work of labor leaders and other activists. The Prosecutor General's Office obtained convictions and issued arrest warrants in cases involving military extrajudicial executions and paramilitary mass [...] |
2009-11-13 14:57:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KJUS PGOV PTER ELAB MOPS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3373 |
URIBE REELECTION BID HITS ANOTHER SPEED BUMP [...] A sub-panel of Colombia's National Electoral Council (CNE) on November 12 announced it had invalidated the signatures on the nationwide petition that initiated the process of reforming the Constitution to allow President Uribe to run for a third term (ref A). The CNE's investigation began in [...] |
2009-11-13 20:16:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3375 |
PROSECUTOR SINKS CASE AGAINST CORRUPT ADMIRAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Prosecutor General's Office (Fiscalia) and the Inspector General's Office (Procuraduria) unexpectedly reversed course and called for all charges to be dropped in the case against retired Rear Admiral GarbrielArangoBacci for alleged links with narco-trafficking. In addition, b [...] |
2009-11-13 20:20:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3383 |
ALABAMA GOVERNOR LEADS TRADE MISSION TO COLOMBIA [...] (C) Summary: Governor Bob Riley headed a 43-member Alabama delegation to Colombia and discussed trade opportunities and cooperation with President Uribe, five Governors, and representatives of Colombia's private sector and port authorities. In a private meeting, Uribe sought the Governor's vi [...] |
2009-11-13 22:38:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ECON OTRA EINV ELAB PREL PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3389 |
2009 STALEMATE CONTINUES: COLOMBIA CONFLICT UPDATE FOR [...] (C) The Colombian military's momentum remained slower in the third quarter of 2009, with demobilizations, captures and kills of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) members below 2008 levels. The Colombian military believes the FARC may be planning to concentrate on Cundinamarca depar [...] |
2009-11-16 18:29:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER MOPS MCAP ASEC PREL PGOV PREF CO |
| 09BOGOTA3391 |
Blue Lantern Broker Inquiry K-2357 [...] (U) Summary. Per reftel, Emboffs traveled to the offices of IMDICOL Ltda. in Bogota on November 9 and met with IMDICOL's President and management team. IMDICOL appears to be a bona fide broker of military supplies whose main client is the Colombian government. 2. (U) Prior to the visi [...] |
2009-11-17 13:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETTC KOMC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3393 |
MOD OVERULES ARMY COMMANDER'S TRANSFER OF KEY HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) Minister of Defense (MOD) Gabriel Silva Lujan countermanded a transfer order from the army commander that would have sent the reform-minded army inspector general to the defense attache post in Chile -- and to an early retirement. Instead, Army Inspector General (IG) Major General Carlos S [...] |
2009-11-17 16:11:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS MCAP CO |
| 09BOGOTA3404 |
Colombian MFA Sounds Alarm about Citizenship Fraud [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On October 15, 2009 AmEmb Bogota's consular Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) met with the head of the passport office at the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Mauricio Acero. Acero requested the meeting to alert FPU to a fraud trend whereby foreign nationals fraudulently [...] |
2009-10-27 16:17:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CMGT CVIS PINS KFRD SMIG CO |
| 09BOGOTA3405 |
COLOMBIA IN THE POLITICAL DOLDRUMS [...] (C) Colombian politics have entered a holding pattern while President Uribe awaits the next step of his quest for a third term. Scandals over agricultural subsidies and illegal surveillance have slightly tarnished Uribe's popularity but public concern over Venezuela's saber-ratting may bump him [...] |
2009-11-17 18:46:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3408 |
Lack of Clarity and Increasing Polarization as Elections [...] (SBU) USAID carried out an elections assessment in September in anticipation of the upcoming 2010 presidential and congressional elections in Colombia. The main conclusions were: there is a lack of clarity surrounding the elections that has contributed to a sense of paralysis among key actors [...] |
2009-10-28 16:04:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV EAID PREL PREF PHUM OAS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3415 |
COLOMBIA: ENERGY SECTOR TO EXPAND WITH EXIM FINANCING [...] (C) The energy sector in Colombia has big plans to expand and the Export-Import Bank (ExIm) and the U.S. Trade Development Agency (TDA) want to be part of this expansion by providing financial backing and trade capacity building assistance. ExIm plans to be the lead export credit agency for t [...] |
2009-11-18 18:54:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ENRG ECON EINT ETRD CO |
| 09BOGOTA3421 |
COLOMBIANS SEE UBIQUITOUS VENEZUELAN THREAT [...] (C/NF) Colombian officials and observers are increasingly concerned about the long-term threat Venezuela poses to their country. Experts inside and outside the government worry that any small incident along the tense border could spark a costly confrontation, given the decrease in communication and [...] |
2009-11-20 16:41:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KJUS ETRD OAS CO VE |
| 09BOGOTA3422 |
LAW OF EQUALITY AND OPPORTUNITY UNLIKELY THIS TERM [...] (SBU) The bill of Equality and Opportunity for Afro-Colombians will most likely not pass this legislative term. Members from the Afro-Colombian Caucus told us that due to the pre-electoral campaign season passing any piece of legislation was difficult. Moreover, the Vice President's Office tol [...] |
2009-10-29 14:16:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA3427 |
CIV AIR: DIPNOTE AUTHORIZING NEW ROUTE FOR COLOMBIAN AIRLINE [...] (U) Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a diplomatic note dated November 10 stating that Colombia's civil aviation authority Aeronautica Civil (AeroCivil) has authorized four new weekly frequencies for Colombian airline Aires between Cali and Fort Lauderdale. A copy of the diploma [...] |
2009-11-20 22:01:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR ETRD CO |
| 09BOGOTA3430 |
COLOMBIA: INTERESTED IN HFCS PROPOSAL, BUT NOT SOLD [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Per reftel, Econoffs demarched GOC representatives from the Ministries of Environment (MOE) and Foreign Affairs (MFA) on the U.S./Canada/Mexico proposal to add hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to the Montreal Protocol. GOC officials showed interest in the proposal, but emphasized tha [...] |
2009-10-30 15:12:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV AORC KGHG CO |
| 09BOGOTA3435 |
SCENESETTER FOR ADMIRAL ROUGHEAD'S DEC 2-6 VISIT TO COLOMBIA [...] (SBU) Your upcoming visit to Bogota and Cartagena is an opportunity to reassure the Colombians of our commitment to their fight against illegal drugs and illegal armed groups. Colombians have begun to perceive our decision not to be baited by Venezuela's bellicose rhetoric and trade freeze as [...] |
2009-11-24 15:12:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PHUM PTER ECON ETRD EAID SNAR MOPS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3437 |
SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL FRASER'S NOV 30 - DEC 1 VISIT TO [...] (SBU) Your return to Colombia is an opportunity to reassure the Colombians of our commitment to their fight against illegal drugs and illegal armed groups. Colombians have begun to perceive our decision not to be baited by Venezuela's bellicose rhetoric, violence against Colombians along the b [...] |
2009-11-25 18:21:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL MARR PGOV PHUM PTER ECON ETRD EAID SNAR MOPS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3439 |
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: U.S. POSTURE ON IRAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM [...] No summary [...] |
2009-11-25 19:27:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL CO IR |
| 09BOGOTA3441 |
XXXXXXXXXXXX TO AMBASSADOR: GOC ANGRY AT USG SILENCE ON VENEZUELA; PROBLEMS WITHIN MOD; NO NEW PROSECUTOR GENERAL [...] (S/NF) XXXXXXXXXXXX told the Ambassador on November 24 that President Uribe was angry with the USG for its lack of response to Venezuela's aggressions towards Colombia. XXXXXXXXXXXX also said the GOC was interpreting the cancelation of Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg's December 1-3 v [...] |
2009-11-25 20:06:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL ASEC MOPS PHUM KJUS PINR VE CO |
| 09BOGOTA3445 |
COLOMBIA'S PLANNED TROOP DEPLOYMENTS TO AFGHANISTAN [...] (S/NF) The Ambassador discussed the Government of Colombia's (GOC) plans to deploy troops to Afghanistan with Defense Minister Gabriel Silva Lujan on November 12 per ref A. MOD Silva suggested that the GOC is waiting to publicly announce its decision to send troops to Afghanistan until the USG [...] |
2009-11-25 20:30:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL NATO MOPS MARR MCAP PGOV CO AF |
| 09BOGOTA3455 |
POLICE MAKE ARRESTS IN WIRETAP SCANDAL [...] No summary [...] |
2009-11-27 22:17:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KCRM CO |
| 09BOGOTA3457 |
Colombian Ministers Skip UNASUR Meeting on DCA [...] (C) Vice Foreign Minister Clemencia Forero confirmed press reports on November 27 that Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez and Minister of Defense Gabriel Silva would not attend the UNASUR ministerial in Quito. The UNASUR ministerial had the U.S.-Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) as its [...] |
2009-11-27 23:22:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3473 |
COLOMBIA HOSTS CHINESE-LATIN BUSINESS SUMMIT [...] (U) SUMMARY. Colombia hosted the third Chinese-Latin American Business Summit November 25-26. Approximately 250 Chinese and twice as many Latin American businesspeople attended the gathering. The GOC hopes such events will increase Chinese investment in Colombia, and President Uribe used the [...] |
2009-11-30 16:34:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD PREL EINV CO CH |
| 09BOGOTA3476 |
Colombia: Food Security Letter Delivered [...] No summary [...] |
2009-11-04 15:54:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ETRD ECON CO |
| 09BOGOTA3483 |
COLOMBIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY SOURS ON ISRAELI DEFENSE FIRM [...] (S/NF) General Oscar Naranjo, Director of the Colombian National Police (CNP), told the Ambassador on November 24 that Defense Minister Gabriel Silva was souring on the Defense Ministry's relationship with Israel. Naranjo said that the CNP's relationship with retired Israeli Major General Yisr [...] |
2009-12-01 20:59:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | MARR MCAP MOPS PREL PGOV PTER IS PE PM CO |
| 09BOGOTA3485 |
URIBE SILENT AS "DEADLINE" TO DECLARE CANDIDACY FOR [...] (U) With less than six months until the May 30 presidential election, the political panorama is as murky as ever (reftels). There is still no answer to the million dollar question: "will President Uribe run for a second reelection?" Observers and the entire spectrum of presidential candidates [...] |
2009-12-01 21:48:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3487 |
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: U.S. CANDIDACY FOR WHO BOARD [...] No summary [...] |
2009-12-01 22:05:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC PREL TBIO EAID WHO CO |
| 09BOGOTA3489 |
COLOMBIA TO BE SUPPORTIVE IN COPENHAGEN; PROPOSES FORESTRY [...] (SBU) Summary: Environment Minister Carlos Costa told the Deputy Chief of Mission that Colombia would support U.S. efforts at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. The Minister welcomed the close coordination and openness of U.S. negotiators and indicated the USG could count on Col [...] |
2009-12-01 23:10:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV EAID ECON ENRG EINV PGOV PREL UN CO |
| 09BOGOTA3491 |
NOVEMBER HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE [...] (C) General Jaime Humberto Uscategui was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the 1997 Mapiripan, Meta massacre -- Uscategui is the first general to be convicted for involvement in a paramilitary massacre. A non-commissioned officer was sentenced to 30 years in prison for a 2005 extrajudicial e [...] |
2009-12-01 23:34:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3495 |
BLUE LANTERN PRE-LICENSE CHECK 050197112 [...] (U) Summary. Per reftel, Emboffs traveled to the offices of JFW Colombia S.A. (JFW) in Bogota on November 17 and met with JFW manager Ricardo Roig. JFW is a small weapons broker that has contracted with Colombian National Police and military previously. JFW provided Emboffs the contract for a [...] |
2009-12-02 16:22:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETTC KOMC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3499 |
AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH NGO RECEIVING THREATS [...] (C) On November 27, the Ambassador met with Leon Valencia, Director of the Colombian think tank New Rainbow Corporation (CNAI). The Ambassador expressed concern over the threats CNAI had received in October. The discussion centered on CNAI's annual report that posits the GOC's democratic secu [...] |
2009-12-03 21:11:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3503 |
THE MEDELLIN MIRACLE LOSES ITS LUSTER [...] (C) Medellin's homicide rate continues to climb, reversing positive trends experienced between 2002 and 2008. Residents attribute the rise in murders to local criminal groups competing for turf in Medellin's underworld. As the GOC successfully eliminates cocaine kingpins nationally, drug traf [...] |
2009-12-04 20:19:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KCRM SOCI |
| 09BOGOTA3509 |
UNHCHR TO AMBASSADOR: NGOS AND URIBE ARE OCEANS APART [...] (C) SUMMARY: UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang shared her concerns with the Ambassador on December 2 about the growing distance between the Colombian Government and NGOs on their perception of the human rights situation. She attributed the discord in part to the ongo [...] |
2009-12-07 19:20:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3511 |
Copenhagen Climate Summit: Colombian Delegation, Priorities, [...] (U) Summary. At the Copenhagen Climate Change conference, Environment Minister Carlos Costa will lead the Colombian delegation, which includes the Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs, Director of IDEAM (a NOAA-like institution), and other advisors. Per reftels, Colombia will continue to be [...] |
2009-12-07 20:03:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV EAID ECON ENRG PGOV PREL UN CO |
| 09BOGOTA3515 |
MORE RHETORIC, FEWER THREATS, IN COLOMBIA-VENEZUELA TENSIONS [...] (C/NF) Colombian-Venezuelan tensions appear to have improved slightly from the bellicose rhetoric of late November, but significant irritants remain and the situation is by no means stable. Military leaders in a key frontier area remain focused on Colombia's internal security situation, not on [...] |
2009-12-07 21:17:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL PGOV KJUS ETRD CO VE |
| 09BOGOTA3517 |
COLOMBIA DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS RESPONSE [...] No summary [...] |
2009-12-07 22:06:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UN PHUM UNGA CO |
| 09BOGOTA3519 |
DAS DIRECTOR: ILLEGALITY OF SURVEILLANCE UNCLEAR [...] (C) In a meeting with Polcouns November 13, Administrative Department of Security (DAS) Director Felipe Munoz said that allegations against his agency of illegal surveillance were exaggerated in some cases. Nevertheless, he emphasized that DAS is cooperating with Colombian judicial authorities [...] |
2009-12-07 22:27:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3521 |
COLOMBIAN COURTS TAKE TWO STEPS FORWARD, ONE STEP BACK [...] (SBU) The Colombian courts handed down two positive decisions in human rights cases, and a disappointing one in a public corruption case. On December 2 the Supreme Court sentenced former Sucre Department Governor and Ambassador to Chile Salvador Arana to 40 years in prison for his role in orde [...] |
2009-12-07 23:02:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3525 |
Ambassador Discusses Drug Policy, DCA with Polo Democratico [...] (C) Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA) presidential candidate Gustavo Petro told the Ambassador December 4 that U.S. drug policy was mistaken by attacking illegal drug production but not the political power behind it. Petro argued that land reform was key to rolling back the regional power that [...] |
2009-12-09 22:51:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SNAR KJUS MARR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3526 |
Researchers Assess Post-FARC Consolidation, Intelligentsia [...] (U) On October 28, think tank New Rainbow Corporation and the Dutch Embassy held a public forum on the Integral Plan for the Consolidation of La Macarena (PCIM). La Macarena lacked a state presence for years and was the home base region of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). R [...] |
2009-11-05 17:16:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM EAID SNAR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3527 |
COLOMBIA DEBRIEF ON UNASUR MEETING GENERALLY POSITIVE, BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Vice Foreign Minister Forero told the Deputy Chief of Mission on November 30 that the Colombian government was pleased with the outcome of the UNASUR ministerial in Quito, noting in particular that Brazil was more conciliatory than in prior meetings. A key result was a consensus r [...] |
2009-12-10 15:25:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3533 |
EMBASSY BOGOTA WOMAN OF COURAGE NOMINATION [...] Embassy Bogota nominates Claudia Maria Mejia Duque, Executive Director and co-founder of women's rights NGO Sisma Mujer, for the Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage (IWOC). Mejia's organization has empowered women to address and overcome the impact of sexual violence [...] |
2009-12-11 20:36:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KWMN PTER KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3535 |
UPDATE ON COLOMBIANS EXPELLED FROM VENEZUELA [...] (C) The Colombian Government (GOC) continues to assist the nearly 600 Colombian (and 41 Brazilian) gold miners expelled from Venezuela on November 28. Another 200 Colombians fearing retaliation have also returned from the area on their own. The GOC sent a high-level delegation to the border t [...] |
2009-12-11 23:25:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PGOV PREL CO VE |
| 09BOGOTA3536 |
DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION'S VISIT TO BARRANQUILLA AND [...] (U) The Deputy Chief of Mission, accompanied by USAID Mission Director and other embassy officers, travelled to Barranquilla and Cartagena on October 22-23, where he met with local political, business, and community leaders; visited commercial enterprises; and visited with beneficiaries of USAI [...] |
2009-11-05 21:22:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ECON EAID MARR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3537 |
JUDICIAL SECTOR WORKERS BARRED FROM STRIKING [...] (SBU) On November 11 the Colombian Supreme Court ruled that a 2008 strike by 38,000 members of the National Association of Judicial Branch Employees (ASONAL JUDICIAL) over remuneration and judicial independence was illegal. The ruling has renewed debate over restrictions on the right of public [...] |
2009-12-14 17:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB EAID ETRD PGOV PHUM PREL USTR LAB CO |
| 09BOGOTA3541 |
CIVAIR: DIPNOTE AUTHORIZING NEW ROUTE FOR COLOMBIAN AIRLINE [...] (U) Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered a diplomatic note dated December 9 stating that Colombia's civil aviation authority Aeronautica Civil (AeroCivil) has authorized seven new weekly frequencies for Colombian airline Aerorepublica between Bogota and Miami. A copy of th [...] |
2009-12-14 21:52:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR ETRD CO |
| 09BOGOTA3555 |
CIVAIR: AEROCIVIL RESPONSE TO FAA VIOLATION 2009SO230014 [...] (U) Per reftel, EconOff delivered a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) request for investigation on October 21 to Aeronautica Civil (AeroCivil), Colombia's civil aviation authority, regarding an FAA violation committed by Colombian national Juan Camilo Velasquez. On February 10, Mr. Velazqu [...] |
2009-12-15 21:30:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3557 |
KOGUI SITUATION PROMPTS DEBATE ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VS. [...] (C) Indigenous Kogui Christian Antanacio Moscote told us 28 Christians were detained by the Gonawindua Tayrona Organization (OGT), the governing body of the Sierra Nevada indigenous reserve, for failing to observe traditional religious rites. Moscote said traditional Koguis were willing to coe [...] |
2009-12-16 15:31:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF CO |
| 09BOGOTA3559 |
Charge Discusses Colombia-Panama Border Cooperation with [...] (S/NF) Charge d'Affaires met with General Oscar Naranjo, Director of the Colombian National Police (CNP), on December 15 to discuss Colombia - Panama law enforcement cooperation. Naranjo repeatedly stressed that cooperation with Panama would be completely coordinated with the USG, and that the [...] |
2009-12-16 20:21:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PTER SNAR PINR ASEC PM CO |
| 09BOGOTA3571 |
Colombia: Follow Up Response on Previous ACE Finalists [...] Summary. Per reftel, Post contacted the following finalists of the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE): Occidental, SURevolution, General Motors. All three companies are still working in Colombia and continuing their corporate social responsibility programs since being [...] |
2009-12-17 19:19:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT BEXP ECON EINV ELAB ETRD SENV |
| 09BOGOTA3574 |
COLOMBIA: FINANCIAL CREDIT IS AVAILABLE, BUT AT A COST [...] (SBU) Summary. Obtaining credit in Colombia is a challenge for small and medium size enterprises (SME). Many SMEs do not request credit because of the high interest rates (30 percent), the formality of the loan process, and the length of time it takes to receive loans. The GOC, however, has [...] |
2009-11-09 15:43:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EINT EFIN OPIC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3576 |
COLOMBIA'S 2010 BUDGET: SOCIAL PROTECTION AND SECURITY STLL [...] (U) Summary. The GOC budget for 2010 (US$ 78 billion) reflects a seven percent increase from 2009, with increases in defense and security, education, transportation, agriculture, social programs, and the Congress. For the first time, the defense and security budget surpassed education, in pa [...] |
2009-11-09 15:48:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON CO PGOV EFIN |
| 09BOGOTA3577 |
COLOMBIA'S LEFT STRUGGLES FOR POLITICAL SPACE [...] (SBU) During eight years of an extremely popular center-right Uribe Administration, Colombia's political left has struggled to define itself, its opposition role, and ways to influence national institutions of power. The left has been fractured, changing, and not united by shared objectives or [...] |
2009-12-18 14:20:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER ECON SNAR PHUM CO VE |
| 09BOGOTA3581 |
QUARTERLY HUMAN RIGHTS CONSULTATION FOCUSES ON JUDICIAL [...] (U) Charge d'Affaires Brian Nichols hosted the Embassy's quarterly consultations with human rights groups on December 15. The discussion focused on judicial independence, the failure to implement the new intelligence law, and specific cases of displacement and "social cleansing." The Director [...] |
2009-12-18 21:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS ELAB CO |
| 09BOGOTA3582 |
OCTOBER COLOMBIA STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT INTIATIVE UPDATE [...] (U) At a senior level coordinating meeting, Diego Molano, civilian lead of the National Consolidation Plan (PNC), set goals for consolidation and attempted to reinvigorate the interagency coordinating mechanism. The military is still playing a large role in Montes de Maria. USAID held 11 town [...] |
2009-11-10 21:51:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM EAID SNAR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3585 |
Charge Discusses Venezuela, Ecuador and Mercosur with Acting [...] (C) Acting Foreign Minister Clemencia Forero told the Charge on December 18 that the GOC had sent a letter to UN Security Council members responding to Venezuela's call for a discussion on the alleged international threat posed by Colombia's security problems. The letter was intended to give UN [...] |
2009-12-21 14:05:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL UNSC MARR ENRG PREF CO VE EC UY |
| 09BOGOTA3586 |
Colombia Shares Lessons from Demobilizing over 51,000 [...] President Uribe and Frank Pearl, High Presidential Commissioner for Reintegration and High Commissioner for Peace, launched a document based on Colombia's experience in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) on November 3. The GOC initiative seeks to share with other nations in c [...] |
2009-11-12 14:55:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM EAID SNAR CO BR HA RP |
| 09BOGOTA3590 |
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: IICA MEETING FOR BIOSAFETY PROTOCOL [...] No summary [...] |
2009-11-12 16:23:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV EAGR ETRD TBIO CO |
| 09BOGOTA3592 |
A NEW HUMAN RIGHTS AGENDA FOR COLOMBIA [...] (SBU) Embassy Bogota is engaged in a strategy to raise the USG profile on human rights in Colombia (ref). It is just as important to define the substantive areas where we hope to see progress in the coming year. In Post's opinion, key elements of our agenda with the GOC should be to: - [...] |
2009-11-12 18:22:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL ELAB KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA3593 |
VICE MINISTER OF DEFENSE JARAMILLO RESIGNS OVER THIRD TERM, [...] (C) Vice Minister of Defense Sergio Jaramillo resigned on December 17. He told the Charge d'Affaires on December 18 that despite his poor relationship with Minister of Defense Gabriel Silva Lujan, the real reason for his departure was his disagreement with President Alvaro Uribe's intention to [...] |
2009-12-21 23:20:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3595 |
FARC AND ELN ANNOUNCE NON-AGGRESSION PACT [...] (C) The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) issued a joint communique in mid-December announcing non-aggression pact between the two organizations. Minister of Defense Gabriel Silva said that the pact shows the organizations are in a weakened st [...] |
2009-12-22 13:35:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER MARR MOPS MCAP PREL PGOV ASEC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3599 |
FARC KIDNAPS COLOMBIAN GOVERNOR FROM HIS RESIDENCE [...] (SBU) On the evening of December 21, approximately ten Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) fighters dressed in Colombian military uniforms kidnapped the governor of Colombia's Caqueta department from his residence in Florencia. The kidnappers, believed to belong to the FARC'S Teofilo [...] |
2009-12-22 18:41:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER MOPS MCAP PHUM PGOV ASEC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3604 |
COLOMBIA TOTAL COCA ERADICATION IS DOWN IN 2009 [...] (SBU) Summary: Citing record coca eradication in 2008, the USG and United Nations reported significant declines in Colombian cocaine production potential and coca cultivation in Colombia last year. Total coca eradication in 2009 is projected to be approximately 157,000 hectares, 32 percent less tha [...] |
2009-11-13 15:30:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR SENV KCRM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3617 |
FARC KILL GOVERNOR OF CAQUETA [...] (SBU) On December 22, security officials recovered the body of the governor of Caqueta Department, who had been kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) the night before (reftel). President Uribe condemned the murder, said that rescue teams would now turn to capturing the per [...] |
2009-12-23 21:08:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER MOPS PHUM ASEC CO |
| 09BOGOTA3621 |
Unfinished Business: Reelection, Prosecutor General, Intel [...] (U) Although the Colombian Congress managed to pass the national budget and an extension of the "war tax" before adjourning in December 2009, the legislative and judicial branches left a number of important initiatives for the new year. These include: a Constitutional Court decision on whethe [...] |
2009-12-23 21:23:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KJUS PINR PHUM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3635 |
COLOMBIA SCENESETTER FOR CODEL ENGEL (JANUARY 7-10) [...] (SBU) Your upcoming visit to Cartagena and Monteria is an opportunity to discuss with the Colombians our shared fight against illegal drugs and illegal armed groups as well as the underlying social inequality that drives both phenomena. President Uribe's final decision on whether to push for r [...] |
2009-12-31 19:52:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PGOV PREL SNAR PTER ETRD PHUM MOPS OREP CO |
| 09BOGOTA3636 |
REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO CLOSE ON THE ACQUISITION OF [...] Summary: U.S Embassy Bogota reports that all due diligence items necessitated by the Conditional Purchase Agreement (CPA) are completed for the acquisition of the CALLE 93B No. 9A/36 APT.302 OASIS DEL MUSEO BUILDING. Embassy sends thanks to OBO for outstanding support. Please see action request [...] |
2009-11-17 14:08:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ABLD AMGT ASEC AFIN |
| 09BOGOTA3662 |
NAS MONTHLY REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2009 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Eradication numbers continue to lag behind last year's due to funding constraints affecting manual eradication progress. So far in 2009, the Colombian government has reported a total of 40 fatalities during manual eradication operations. Other GOC forces have also incurred ca [...] |
2009-11-18 13:59:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR SENV KCRM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA3670 |
2009-2010 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT [...] No summary [...] |
2009-11-19 17:11:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR |
| 09BOGOTA3672 |
2009-2010 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT [...] No summary [...] |
2009-11-19 17:12:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR |
| 09BOGOTA3676 |
BOGOTA FUNDING REQUEST TO HIRE A CIVIL ENGINEER FOR THE NEW [...] Post requests funding in the amount of USD$75,000 to hire a local civil engineer who will oversee the upcoming compound access control (CAC) renovation and forced entry ballistic resistance (FEBR) wall construction projects. 2. When funds are received from OBO, Post HRO will process a [...] |
2009-11-19 20:51:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ABLD ABUD AMGT AFIN |
| 09BOGOTA3702 |
Comments on Draft Report on Audit of Overseas Laptop [...] Following is Embassy Bogota comments on the draft report and information on actions taken for the seven recommendations (Nos. 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15) that require Post's attention per Ref A. 2. OIG Recommendation 2. OIG recommends that Embassies Bogota, Mexico City, Rome, and Vienn [...] |
2009-11-20 19:25:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | AMGT ASIG AINF |
| 09BOGOTA3704 |
FOR RELEASE: AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO PAIPA UNDERSCORES [...] (SBU) The Ambassador traveled to Paipa, Boyaca, on November 5 to speak at the Supreme Court-organized National Summit of General Jurisdiction, a conference which brought together judges from all over Colombia. The Ambassador stressed the importance of access to justice during Colombia's journe [...] |
2009-11-20 20:46:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV EAGR KJUS AID CO |
| 09BOGOTA372 |
COLOMBIA'S AMAZON REGION: A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, [...] SUMMARY. The economy of Amazonas Department, which borders Brazil and Peru, contributes less than .05 percent to Colombia's GDP. Local experts tell us that the Department's limited infrastructure and prevalence of protected areas -- there are only 25 miles of paved roads in the department and [...] |
2009-02-04 22:03:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON SENV EAID CO |
| 09BOGOTA3752 |
ADJUSTMENT TO TASK ORDER-0056 [...] Following funds are provided to adjust ARINC task order 0056 for O/A costs of aircraft fuel tank repair in the amount of USD 9,700: CNP ARAVI Appropriation: 19 7911540000 Allotment: 0110 Obligation: 0110808191 Fu [...] |
2009-11-25 14:41:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR AFIN |
| 09BOGOTA378 |
PRESIDENTS URIBE AND CHAVEZ MEET, ANNOUNCE JOINT [...] (C) SUMMARY: In Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' first visit to Colombia since the March 2007 diplomatic row over the GOC killing of FARC Secretariat member Raul Reyes (Ref A), President Uribe and he announced the creation of a USD 200 million joint fund and consultative commission to help busines [...] |
2009-02-05 14:39:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV PREL VE CO |
| 09BOGOTA379 |
PROTECTIONIST LABOR LAWS HINDER FORMAL ECONOMY [...] (SBU) Colombia's heavily taxed and regulated labor market--higher than many regionally--encourages informality and temporary contracts and cooperatives, said Vice President of the National Association of Industries (ANDI) Alberto Echavarria. He added that the 50% additional non-wage worker c [...] |
2009-02-05 14:40:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL ECON SOCI CO |
| 09BOGOTA3806 |
AIR BRIDGE DENIAL: OCTOBER 2009 PROGRAM UPDATE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. This is the monthly Air Bridge Denial (ABD) activity report for October, 2009, as required by Reftel. The Government of Colombia (GOC) sorted 1,711 tracks during October. There were five Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS) for the month. END SUMMARY. ------- Tracks -- [...] |
2009-11-30 20:49:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3814 |
POSITIVE HUMAN RIGHTS DEVELOPMENT IN COLOMBIA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Vice President Santos extolled Colombia's entry as an "Engaged Government" in the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) program at a plenary meeting on November 18. Santos remarked that Colombia is a great example of the VPs process and offered to support othe [...] |
2009-12-01 23:19:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL ENRG PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA383 |
SCENESETTER FOR FEBRUARY 9-13 VISIT OF AMBASSADOR [...] (C) The signing of a new defense cooperation agreement (DCA) with the United States is a priority for President Uribe. The current negotiations come at a time when the GOC is eager to cement the historically solid U.S.-Colombian bilateral relationship under the new U.S. administration. The GOC and [...] |
2009-02-05 19:21:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PTER MASS CO |
| 09BOGOTA384 |
DRAMATIC FUNDING INCREASE FOR COLOMBIA'S NATIONAL [...] SUMMARY. The GOC increased the budget of its National Parks Authority (NPA) by 40 percent, amounting to the largest investment ever in Colombia's national parks. Colombia has 54 national parks (including reserves and sanctuaries) that amount to 10 percent of Colombian territory, and the NPA [...] |
2009-02-05 21:03:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON SENV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3862 |
COLOMBIA SEEKS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM DEPARTMENT OF [...] (U) Per reftel, the GOC presented a proposal to the Department of Energy in support of the Low Carbon Communities of the Americas program on November 30, 2009. This program is in response to President Obama's Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas initiative launched at the Summit of [...] |
2009-12-03 17:17:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ENRG ECON PREL SENV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3878 |
MASS OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION OFFERS IN COLOMBIA [...] (SBU) Summary. Colombia opened its ninth petroleum show on December 2 with offers to explore and produce oil and gas in 168 blocks throughout Colombia and offshore. Close to 1,000 businessmen and women were in attendance representing firms from North America, Europe, China, and Latin America [...] |
2009-12-04 15:26:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG ECON PREL EINT SENV CO |
| 09BOGOTA3894 |
COLOMBIA: 2010 NTE SUBMISSION [...] Per reftel, following is Embassy Bogota's submission for the 2010 National Trade Estimate Report, which has been e-mailed to USTR, WHA/AND, WHA/EPSC and EEB/TPP/BTA. TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT ------------------------- 2. The United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) wa [...] |
2009-12-04 21:32:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN EINV ETRD CO |
| 09BOGOTA3914 |
REQUEST FUNDING AUTHORITY FOR VOLUNTARY SEPARATION LIABILITY [...] Post requests funding authority for advance voluntary severance pay for the following employees. Name: Munzer, Lilian (FSN/PSA) --CFSC ID No.: L11001964 --Service computation date: 06/01/2009 --Date of impending separation: 09/30/2009 --Reason for separation payment: ADVANCE [...] |
2009-12-07 14:14:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR AFIN |
| 09BOGOTA3916 |
INL FLASH REPORT THRU NOVEMBER 30, 2009 [...] No summary [...] |
2009-12-07 14:14:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR AFIN |
| 09BOGOTA3968 |
NOVEMBER COLOMBIA STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT INTIATIVE UPDATE [...] (SBU) The Embassy activated the Northern Band (Bajo Cauca in northern Antioquia) as the fourth Colombia Strategic Development Initiative (CSDI) priority zone. Montes de Maria will remain a part of CSDI but requires less coordinated action from USG agencies due to progress on the ground. Gener [...] |
2009-12-11 15:21:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM EAID SNAR CO |
| 09BOGOTA3984 |
CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFERS: FOR PUBLIC GOOD OR PUBLIC VOTES? [...] (U) Summary. Colombia's conditional cash transfer program, called "Familias en Accion", receives notable support and praise from the international financial institutions. The World Bank highlights that Familias en Accion significantly contributes to poverty alleviation and equity of opportun [...] |
2009-12-14 14:49:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI ECON PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA3998 |
2009 Colombian Demobilization Rates Down, Yet More [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Colombia's robust Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) policy continues to bear fruit late into 2009 primarily due to several years of sustained security operations. Yet, after high rates in 2007 and 2008, a natural leveling off is evident with demobilization slowi [...] |
2009-12-15 18:33:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MCAP PHUM PREL PTER MOPS PGOV PREF SNAR PM VE PE EC |
| 09BOGOTA400 |
JANUARY HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE [...] (U) Prosecutors continued to order arrests of soldiers suspected of participating in extrajudicial executions. The Prosecutor General's Office (Fiscalia) charged 10 soldiers for the 2005 massacre of eight San Jose de Apartado Peace Community members. The Defense Ministry dismissed eleven m [...] |
2009-02-06 16:22:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA401 |
DESERTIONS RISING, OPS SLOWING?: COLOMBIA CONFLICT [...] (C) The Colombian military did not score any high-profile tactical wins over the FARC in the fourth quarter of 2008, leading to a public perception that the GOC lost momentum following earlier successes. Some officers claimed commanders had become too cautious after the dismissal of 27 milita [...] |
2009-02-06 16:22:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA4032 |
RESPONSE TO BLUE LANTERN COLOMBIA LICENSE 050147620 [...] (SBU) Summary. Per reftel A, Colombian Air Force officials confirmed the purchase of ten harnesses from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (Rafael ADS) via CICOIL Corporation in the United States. All ten harnesses are currently in the process of being integrated with Colombian aircraft at Rafa [...] |
2009-12-17 21:58:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETTC KOMC CO |
| 09BOGOTA4048 |
COLOMBIA'S POWERFUL TRAVEL AGENCIES SEEK STATE INTERVENTION [...] (SBU) Summary. Colombia's powerful travel agency association has consistently lobbied for protectionist regulations to stave off the airlines' competitive advantage in online ticket sales. Two regulations are pending GOC approval that airlines oppose: one would require airlines to charge an [...] |
2009-12-18 21:51:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ETRD EINV ECON EINT PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA4066 |
FOR RELEASE: INTO THE JUNGLE: AMBASSADOR VISITS AMAZONAS [...] (SBU) The Ambassador traveled for the first time in his tenure to the Amazonas Department and its capital, Leticia, on November 18 and 19. During his visit, he met with representatives from indigenous communities, the local tourism sector, local, department, and federal government officials, a [...] |
2009-12-22 14:21:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV ECON PHUM MOPS SENV EAID SOCI SCUL PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA4068 |
NSDD-38: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) [...] After careful consideration, and in accordance with the authorities vested in me as Chief of Mission (COM), I approve the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to add three Development Leadership Initiative (DLI's) Officers as follows: one FS-6 Program Economic Officer, one FS-6 De [...] |
2009-12-22 16:22:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | APER AMGT AFIN CO |
| 09BOGOTA4088 |
FOUR CONSECUTIVE QUARTERS OF NEGATIVE GROWTH; WILL THERE BE [...] Summary. Colombia's economic growth for the third quarter remained negative, at -0.2 percent. This is the fourth straight quarter of negative growth, but it reveals a northward trend that is expected to yield positive growth for the fourth quarter as well as for 2010. The GOC admits that th [...] |
2009-12-23 17:50:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINT PREL PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA4108 |
FOR RELEASE: NAS MONTHLY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2009 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In the first days of December the aerial eradication team reached its CY-2009 goal of 100,000 hectares sprayed. Eradication numbers continue to lag behind last year's due to funding constraints affecting manual eradication progress, while fatalities during manual eradication o [...] |
2009-12-29 18:18:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR |
| 09BOGOTA4120 |
GAINS IN SECURITY PLUS $2.5 BILLION YIELD BIG INFRASTRUCTURE [...] (SBU) Summary. Due to consistent improvements in the security situation and US$2.5 billion in financial incentives, Colombia has been able to award the largest transportation project in its history - called "Ruta del Sol" or the Sun Route. This 1,000 kilometer highway project connects Colomb [...] |
2009-12-30 21:11:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ELTN EFIN ETRD EINV PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA4122 |
NAS MONTHLY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2009 [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In the first days of December the aerial eradication team reached its CY-2009 goal of 100,000 hectares sprayed. Eradication numbers continue to lag behind last year's due to funding constraints affecting manual eradication progress, while fatalities during manual eradication o [...] |
2009-12-30 21:50:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR SENV KCRM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA413 |
SCENESETTER FOR FEBRUARY 16-18 VISIT OF CHAIRWOMAN [...] (SBU) We welcome your visit as the first major CODEL to Colombia during the Obama administration. In ten years, Colombia has progressed from a near failed state and terrorist haven to an economic, political, and social leader in Latin America. Colombia has made major progress in its fight ag [...] |
2009-02-09 16:41:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP EAID PREL SNAR PTER ETRD CO |
| 09BOGOTA418 |
COLOMBIA: INVITATION TO IDB 50TH ANNUAL MEETING IN [...] On February 6, Post received a diplomatic note from the Colombian Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs extending an invitation to Treasury Secretary Geithner to attend the 50th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the 24th Annual meeting [...] |
2009-02-09 20:31:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN OVIP PGOV ECON OTRA EAID CO |
| 09BOGOTA420 |
SMELL THE ROSES: CLEANER DIESEL IMPROVES AIR [...] SUMMARY. Due to tighter Ministry of Environment (MOE) regulations and clean diesel measures taken by state oil company Ecopetrol, Bogota's air quality -- historically among the poorest in Latin America -- is the best that it has been in the last twelve years. Both the MOE and Ecopetrol publ [...] |
2009-02-09 22:38:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV ECON CO |
| 09BOGOTA427 |
URIBE SLAMS FARC "INTELLECTUAL BLOCK" AFTER [...] (S) The FARC freed six "political" hostages the week of February 1 to the ICRC and members of the "Colombians for Peace" group led by Senator Piedad Cordoba. After the releases, Uribe slammed the FARC's "intellectual block"--a reference to Cordoba's group--for trying to "trick" Colombia and [...] |
2009-02-10 22:55:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA43 |
CENTRAL BANK AND AGRICULTURE MINISTRY CONFLICT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. To counter inflation, the Colombian Central Bank has publicly urged the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to reduce agricultural tariffs and increase food product imports. The MOA states that they are receptive to imports, but do not believe tariff reductions are necessary amid a [...] |
2009-01-09 16:12:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAGR ETRD TBIO KPAO CO |
| 09BOGOTA434 |
SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST KIDNAPPING EXTRADITION [...] (SBU) The Colombian Supreme Court ruled on February 5 against the extradition of FARC member Alexander Farfan, ("Enrique Gafas") for the kidnapping of three Americans. This is the Court's seventh denial of U.S. extradition requests related to hostages or terrorism since August. In a confusi [...] |
2009-02-11 20:18:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PTER SNAR KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA435 |
SCENESETTER FOR FEBRUARY 18-22 CAPSTONE VISIT TO [...] (SBU) We welcome the visit of the CAPSTONE fellows to Colombia, which comes at a key time in the U.S.-Colombia bilateral relationship. In ten years, Colombia has progressed from a near failed state and terrorist haven to an economic, political, and social leader in Latin America. Colombia has [...] |
2009-02-11 20:20:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MARR EAID PREL SNAR PTER ETRD PREF CO |
| 09BOGOTA437 |
REVISION: COLOMBIA-2009 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT [...] This is a revised copy of the 2009 Colombia Investment Climate Statement (ref B). Please note minor changes in paragraphs 11 (Banking, Insurance and Telecommunications sections), 41, 48, 51 and 71. Post will submit text via email to EEB/IFD/OIA and include in the 2009 Country Commercial Guid [...] |
2009-02-11 20:26:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV ECON OPIC KTDB USTR EFIN KIPR PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA438 |
FARC MASSACRES 17 INDIGENOUS IN NARINO - HIGH RISK [...] (SBU) The FARC killed at least 17 members of the Awa indigenous tribe, including three minors, on February 4 in the southwestern department of Narino. Details remain unconfirmed, but the local UNHCR Representative told us an eye-witness reported that the FARC tortured and stabbed the victims [...] |
2009-02-11 20:53:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PGOV PHUM PREF SMIG SOCI CO |
| 09BOGOTA446 |
COLOMBIA: INVITATION TO THE PRESIDENT FOR IDB [...] On February 10, Post received a copy of an invitation from President Alvaro Uribe to President Obama to attend the closing event of the 50th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Heads of State and Government Summit in Medellin on March 31, [...] |
2009-02-12 16:59:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL OVIP OTRA PGOV ECON EAID EFIN IDB CO |
| 09BOGOTA455 |
THINK TANK "NUEVO ARCO IRIS" BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON [...] (SBU) Center-left think tank Corporacion Nuevo Arco Iris (CNAI--"New Rainbow Corporation") leaders Leon Valencia, Claudia Lopez, and Mauricio Romero told the Ambassador on February 2 that the GOC has not done enough to break paramilitary ties with politicians, especially at the local level. [...] |
2009-02-12 20:36:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KJUS PREL PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA463 |
PROTECTING COLOMBIA'S CRITICAL ENERGY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In follow up to the August 2008 Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Secretary visit to Colombia and subsequent request by Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy Hernan Martinez, a team of DOE and U.S. Southern Command experts completed a preliminary scoping visit January 25-31, 20 [...] |
2009-02-13 21:07:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG EAID PGOV PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA470 |
COLOMBIA: DEMARCHE ON LIABILITY AND REDRESS UNDER [...] No summary [...] |
2009-02-13 21:49:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO KPAO CO |
| 09BOGOTA477 |
AIR BRIDGE DENIAL: JANUARY 2009 PROGRAM UPDATE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. This is the monthly Air Bridge Denial (ABD) activity report for January, 2009, as required by Reftel. The Government of Colombia (GOC) sorted 4,720 tracks during January of which two were declared Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS). There was one Phase III event that transitioned [...] |
2009-02-17 14:10:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA478 |
NATIONAL POLICE SPEARHEAD RECORD YEAR OF DRUG SEIZURES IN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Colombian Public Forces set new records for seizures of cocaine (including base), marijuana, and drug labs in 2008. Colombian Public Forces seized 245 metric tons of cocaine and base, 258 metric tons (MTs) of marijuana, and 695 kilos of heroin this past year. They also de [...] |
2009-02-17 16:27:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR PGOV PREL KCRM PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA483 |
STEADY PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN FIRST ROUND OF [...] (C) U.S. and Colombian delegations made steady progress in the first round of negotiations on a defense cooperation agreement (DCA). Citing regional tensions, the Colombian delegation attempted to include U.S. security guarantees in the text of the agreement, but later agreed to discuss these [...] |
2009-02-17 21:36:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PTER MOPS MCAP MARR CO |
| 09BOGOTA485 |
URIBE HARDENS LINE ON HUMANITARIAN ACCORD TALKS [...] (C) President Uribe ruled out talks with the FARC on a humanitarian exchange of FARC-held hostages for FARC members in Colombian jails, saying the FARC must unilaterally free its hostages. He also ordered the military to put "permanent pressure" on the FARC through "humanitarian encirclement [...] |
2009-02-17 22:47:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA488 |
UPDATE ON FARC KILLINGS OF INDIGENOUS IN NARINO - [...] (U) The FARC confirmed in a communique on February 17 that a FARC unit executed eight Awa in Narino department after the victims supposedly "confessed" to collaborating with the Colombian military. Other reports say the FARC tortured and killed at least 17 Awa, with ten more missing. A human [...] |
2009-02-18 14:52:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PGOV PHUM PREF SMIG SOCI CO |
| 09BOGOTA519 |
WORRIED GOC ACTS TO SAVE "MEDELLIN MIRACLE" [...] (C) The GOC in late January launched a major push in Medellin to combat the rising rate of violent crime in the city and nearby areas. Medellin has enjoyed the most dramatic drop in homicide rates of any major city or region in Colombia under President Uribe's Democratic Security policy, mak [...] |
2009-02-18 20:15:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KJUS KCRM CO SNAR |
| 09BOGOTA526 |
SCENESETTER FOR MARCH 4-5 VISIT TO COLOMBIA OF [...] (SBU) We welcome the visit of Admiral Mullen to Colombia, which comes at a key time in the U.S.-Colombia bilateral relationship. As you know from previous visits, in ten years, Colombia has progressed from a near failed state and terrorist haven to an economic, political, and social leader in [...] |
2009-02-19 18:34:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM MOPS MCAP ECON CO |
| 09BOGOTA542 |
MILITARY'S HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVES MEET RESISTANCE [...] (C) The Defense Ministry (MOD) continues to step up investigations into reports of murders committed by Army personnel, and has fired fifty-one officers and enlisted men implicated in the incidents--including 27 dismissed as a result of the Soacha murders. The MOD is also working to fix breakd [...] |
2009-02-20 13:51:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM MOPS MCAP KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA545 |
IATTC: USG AND EC MAKE JOINT DEMARCHE OVER GOC [...] (U) Summary. On February 17, EconOff and the European Commission Political/Economic Counselor Gonzalo Fournier, discussed the GOC's position toward the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) with Carlos Robles, Director of Fishing at the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). The impetus fo [...] |
2009-02-20 16:09:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIS PHSA SENV PGOV PREL CO |
| 09BOGOTA558 |
EU-ANDEAN FTA TALKS REAWAKEN AFTER TEN-MONTH COMA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The European Union and Colombia, Peru and Ecuador held their first round of free trade negotiations since the EU and the Andean Community abandoned the "bloc-to-bloc" format (which had included Bolivia) last year. Colombia and EU officials characterized the round as a success, [...] |
2009-02-20 21:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD ECIN KIPR CO |
| 09BOGOTA560 |
FROM THE TOP DOWN: COLOMBIA'S ECONOMIC POLICY [...] (C) SUMMARY: Since 2002 Colombia has pursued a clear, if at times episodic, strategy to liberalize its economy, welcome foreign investment, and expand international trade. The strategy, technically implemented through a byzantine planning and interagency coordination process, is ostensibly the [...] |
2009-02-20 22:54:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PINR ENRG CO |
| 09BOGOTA569 |
DAS CONTINUES DOMESTIC SPYING [...] (C) Colombia's leading news magazine reported that the Department of Administrative Security (DAS) illegally spied on a wide range of the GOC's domestic political opponents, including Supreme Court magistrates, opposition leaders and journalists. Some DAS officials reportedly monitored private [...] |
2009-02-23 21:44:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA570 |
COLOMBIA'S NINTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN [...] (SBU) Embassy point of contact on trafficking in persons is human rights officer Carolyn Cooley, phone number (57-1) 315-2129, fax number (57-1) 315-2163. Officer spent 50 hours preparing the report. 2. (SBU) Responses below are to questions in paragraphs 23-27 of reftel. ------- SUMMA [...] |
2009-02-24 13:35:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KTIP ELAB KCRM KFRD PGOV PHUM PREF SMIG KWMN |
| 09BOGOTA571 |
JOURNALIST RECEIVING DEATH THREATS - BLAMES GOC [...] (C) Independent journalist Hollman Morris told us he has received 50 death threats after President Uribe called him a "terrorist apologist" for his presence at the FARC's liberation of four hostages on February 1. He also complained that he was detained for seven hours by the Colombian mili [...] |
2009-02-24 13:36:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PGOV PREL MOPS KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA589 |
COLOLMBIAN NATIONAL POLICE DC-3 LOST [...] On February 18, 2009, a Colombian National Police (CNP) DC-3 airplane (tail number PNC 0211, GOC-titled and USG-supported) suffered significant damages while on the ground loading Colombian National Police personnel in Medellin, Antioquia. A CNP load-master aircrew member is in critical condi [...] |
2009-02-24 18:27:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR CO |
| 09BOGOTA59 |
DECEMBER 2008: HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE [...] The civilian Prosecutor General's Office announced investigations against four former generals for alleged previous ties to now-demobilized paramilitaries. On December 20, the FARC kidnapped ten men from Arrayanes (Meta). The Southern Bloc of the FARC admitted to the December 7 "mistake" ki [...] |
2009-01-09 21:33:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA597 |
AMBASSADOR BROWNFIELD DISCUSSES LABOR REFORM [...] (U) Ambassador Brownfield hosted a February 13 breakfast for union leaders of the General Work Confederation (CGT) and its member union, the Federation of Colombian Workers (FETRABOC) to discuss labor trends in Colombia. The Ambassador underscored the importance of working together on issue [...] |
2009-02-24 19:51:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ELAB PGOV PREL SOCI CO |
| 09BOGOTA612 |
SEVERE FLOODING IN TUMACO AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN NARIQO, [...] SUMMARY: As a result of heavy rains on February 15-16, 2009, the Mira River overflowed its banks causing severe flooding in the municipality of Tumaco, Nario. Over 6,000 families were affected (approximately 31,000 people) resulting in one confirmed death and 22 missing persons. The Chief of [...] |
2009-02-24 23:42:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAID PGOV AEMR ASEC PHUM KFLO CO |
| 09BOGOTA613 |
DEFENSE MINISTRY REACHES OUT TO DIPLOMATIC CORPS [...] (SBU) The Defense Ministry (MOD) invited members of the diplomatic corps to a February 20 briefing on the events surrounding the December 16 killing of Jose Legarda--husband of Cauca indigenous leader Aida Quilcue. Vice Minister Jaramillo said that the killing was accidental, but accepted tha [...] |
2009-02-25 13:49:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA614 |
MONTES DE MARIA: RIPE FOR CONSOLIDATION [...] (SBU) GOC security efforts--coupled with the paramilitary demobilization process--have transformed the Montes de Maria region on Colombia's Caribbean Coast from the FARC's major stronghold in the north and an important paramilitary zone into an area ripe for consolidation and post-conflict ass [...] |
2009-02-25 14:11:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR CO |
| 09BOGOTA646 |
BOGOTA MAYOR STRUGGLES AS POLO PARTY SEEKS TO SET [...] (C) Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno of the leftist Polo Party has been slammed by the media over a perceived "collapse" in the city--especially in mobility and security. Amidst rapidly falling poll ratings, Moreno has also faced tough criticism from members of his own party. Polo Senator Gustavo [...] |
2009-02-26 14:19:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | ELTN PGOV PREL PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA647 |
COLOMBIA: TRANSMITTAL OF LETTER FROM ACTING NMFS [...] No summary [...] |
2009-02-26 14:23:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIS SENV OTRA ECON PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA652 |
STANFORD FINANCIAL SCANDAL FURTHER SHAKES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Buffeted by the charges against and seizure of Stanford Financial Group's U.S. operations, the firm's nascent Colombian offices suspended operations voluntarily February 18. The exposure of Stanford's local independent brokerage clients appears limited with many already transfe [...] |
2009-02-26 19:58:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA674 |
EMBASSY BOGOTA RESPONSE - UN APPEALS TRIBUNAL [...] Post delivered all points in reftel on February 26 to MFA Director for U.S. and Canadian Affairs Patricia Cortes. On February 27, we received confirmation from MFA International Organizations official Alexandra Rivera that the GOC will support Judge Mark P. Painter during the upcoming UN Gener [...] |
2009-02-27 21:49:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC APER PREL UNGA KAWC KJUS KUNR CO |
| 09BOGOTA684 |
COLOMBIA -- 2009 SPECIAL 301 REVIEW [...] (U) SUMMARY. Post recommends Colombia remain on the Special 301 Watch List. The Colombian Government has made substantial efforts over the last year to combat the theft of intellectual property. The penalties for pharmaceuticals counterfeiting have been stiffened. The level of cooperation [...] |
2009-03-02 13:03:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | KIPR ECON ETRD CO |
| 09BOGOTA685 |
COLOMBIA: ADDITION TO DEMARCHE ON LIABILITY AND [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-02 13:03:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO KPAO CO |
| 09BOGOTA688 |
URIBE RESTRICTS DAS INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS IN [...] (C) President Uribe stripped authority from the Department of Administrative Security (DAS) to conduct wiretaps after press revelations that the DAS had illegally spied on domestic political figures. All DAS monitoring must now be done under the control of the Colombian National Police (CNP). [...] |
2009-03-02 15:54:00 | Embassy Bogota | SECRET | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA697 |
UNHCHR HIGHLIGHTS COLOMBIAN PROGRESS/CHALLENGES IN [...] (U) In its draft annual report on human rights, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) highlights GOC efforts to ensure human rights protections including: implementation of new policies to reduce extrajudicial executions, a focus on victims' rights concerns in public [...] |
2009-03-02 19:11:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KJUS PGOV PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA7 |
COLOMBIAN ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A [...] SUMMARY. After four years of averaging over 5 percent growth capped by a record 7.5 percent expansion in 2007, Colombia's economy slowed significantly in 2008 under the combined pressure of currency appreciation and high interest rates in the first semester, and the cratering of commodity pri [...] |
2009-01-05 18:35:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA707 |
CHINESE VP'S COLOMBIA VISIT LONG ON GOOD [...] (U) SUMMARY. Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Colombia, part of a broader trip through the region, focused on the Chinese designation of Colombia as an official tourist destination, Colombia's burgeoning trade deficit with China, and a Colombian desire for greater Chinese in [...] |
2009-03-02 20:59:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ECON EFIN ETRD CO |
| 09BOGOTA715 |
PRESIDENT URIBE APPROVES THE "STRATEGIC LEAP" [...] (C) On February 19, President Uribe approved a comprehensive plan known as the "Strategic Leap," designed to achieve irreversibility in the GOC's fight against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and other criminal groups before his term ends in 2010. The plan calls for the deci [...] |
2009-03-02 21:49:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PTER MOPS MCAP MASS MARR CO |
| 09BOGOTA719 |
COLOMBIA: RATIFICATION OF THE LAND-BASED SOURCES [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-03 17:21:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV KTIA ECON CO |
| 09BOGOTA720 |
COLOMBIA: INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESS TO GENETIC [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Decree 309 of 2000 establishes the GOC's regulatory framework for research collection and access to genetic resources. Every researcher must have a permit to collect, as well as an additional permit or "contract" to access genetic or biological material. National, regional an [...] |
2009-03-03 17:54:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EAGR SENV TBIO CO |
| 09BOGOTA721 |
VISIT HIGHLIGHTS US ASSISTANCE TO SANTA MARTA [...] (U) SUMMARY: The DCM traveled on February 18 and 19 to the Port of Santa Marta (in the Caribbean coast department of Magdalena) to meet with local political, social, and business leaders and to visit the Santa Marta Port, La Remonta Antinarcotics Police Base, a USAID-funded clinic and school, [...] |
2009-03-03 18:05:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID ECON ENRG EPET PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA728 |
PRESIDENT FILLS CENTRAL BANK VACANCIES WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY: In surprise announcements February 27, President Uribe named two respected economists to fill openings on the Central Bank Board while the current Board cut its benchmark rate 1 percent amid slowing growth. The appointments defied expectations that President Uribe, a frequent cri [...] |
2009-03-03 22:07:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON EFIN PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA732 |
DISPUTE OVER MINING IN NATIONAL PARKS HEATS UP [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A long-running internal GOC dispute over mining within/around Colombia's national parks and forest reserves boiled over into public after the Ministry of Environment (MOE) alleged February 22 that industrial mining occurs in or near 15 parks, threatening critical biodiversity. [...] |
2009-03-04 13:51:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN SENV PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA736 |
FEBRUARY HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE [...] (U) The Foundation for the Freedom of the Press (FLIP) reported that for the first time in 23 years, no Colombian journalists were killed for their work in 2008. The FARC and the ELN mounted indiscriminate attacks against security forces resulting in civilian deaths. Two former AUC members [...] |
2009-03-04 17:13:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KJUS PTER CO |
| 09BOGOTA743 |
ARMY FINDS UNION LEADER IN FARC CAMP [...] Colombian troops captured labor leader Juan Efrain Mendoza in the same February 27 raid that netted Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) commander Bernardo Mosquera Machado ("Negro Antonio"). Mendoza initially tried to flee the soldiers, but later claimed the FARC had kidnapped him. [...] |
2009-03-04 19:00:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON KJUS PGOV PTER SOCI PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA747 |
CIVAIR COLOMBIA: DESIGNATION OF US CARRIER [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-04 21:35:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | EAIR EINV ECON PGOV ETRD EFIN CO |
| 09BOGOTA749 |
COLOMBIA DRUG SURVEY RESULTS OUT AND GOC USES THEM TO PUSH [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The Government of Colombia released the National Household Drug Consumption Survey's executive summary on February 24 and used the results to re-launch efforts to penalize possession of a personal dosage of drugs, fueling the political battle between President Alvaro Uribe and P [...] |
2009-03-05 11:56:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | SNAR PREL PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA765 |
EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 (COLOMBIA) [...] (U) SUMMARY. Post submits the following two proposals, one to be managed by the Economic Section and the other by the Foreign Agricultural Service. Each of these proposals is geared toward advancing critical USG interests by creating the capacity to translate Colombian successes in counter- [...] |
2009-03-05 21:56:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENRG ECON AMGT APER KCIS |
| 09BOGOTA766 |
ECOPETROL BUYS BACK CARTAGENA REFINERY; LOOKS FOR [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Marking the end of a troubled three-year partnership, on March 3 state-owned hydrocarbons company Ecopetrol repurchased Swiss-owned Glencore's 51 percent stake in the Cartagena refinery for USD 549 million. Glencore, which took a USD 109 million loss from the price it paid Ecop [...] |
2009-03-05 22:01:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG ECON EINV PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA768 |
"NO CHANCE" OF FARC PEACE TALKS AS PEACE [...] (C) Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo announced on February 28 that he will resign from office, effective in mid-March, to start a unified "Uribista" political movement. He said President Uribe does not expect peace talks to occur during the remainder of his term, and the President will n [...] |
2009-03-06 14:38:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PTER PHUM CO |
| 09BOGOTA776 |
COLOMBIAN MILITARY OFFENSIVE GETS RESULTS [...] (SBU) The military scored several recent victories against the FARC, ending a lull of several months in which some questioned whether the GOC may have lost the initiative. On February 27, the Army's 5th Division captured "Negro Antonio," the deputy commander of the FARC's "Antonio Narino" urb [...] |
2009-03-06 20:25:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PREF PTER MOPS MCAP CO |
| 09BOGOTA792 |
COMMISSION OF FORMER LATIN PRESIDENTS SUGGESTS [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-09 21:44:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | SNAR PGOV KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA800 |
THREATENED LABOR LEADER NOT INTERESTED IN GOC [...] (C) Labor researcher Lina Paola Malagon Diaz, author of a report cited in testimony before the U.S. Congress, told us she received a death threat from a group calling itself the "Capital Block of the Black Eagles." Malagon said that she has refused GOC offers of added security (bodyguards an [...] |
2009-03-10 20:12:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | CO KJUS |
| 09BOGOTA803 |
GOC DISCOUNTS DIRECTIVE 29 LINK TO EXTRAJUDICIAL [...] (C) Human rights groups contend that Ministry of Defense's (MOD) Directive 29 contributed to extrajudicial executions by providing financial rewards to soldiers for killing FARC members and thus it should be repealed. MOD officials who participated in the investigation of the Soacha murders [...] |
2009-03-10 21:39:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PREF PHUM PTER MARR KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA809 |
COLOMBIA: INVITATION TO ATTEND ANTARCTIC TREATY [...] No summary [...] |
2009-03-11 19:02:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | AORC SENV TPHY KSCA KTIA ECON CO |
| 09BOGOTA815 |
COLOMBIA: COMMENTS ON PARKO SERVICES APPLICATION [...] (SBU) Upon review and consultation with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), and local business community contacts, Post is aware of no derogatory information about the project company Parko Services listed in reftel. According to our contacts, the project [...] |
2009-03-11 21:13:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV EFIN EAID PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA817 |
TOURISM IN COLOMBIA: RECENT GROWTH UNDER THREAT [...] SUMMARY: Colombia's tourist industry continued its rapid growth in 2008, increasing 16 percent, but local stakeholders fear the global financial crisis threatens recent gains. Tourism leaders worry the crisis will negatively affect both the number of tourists visiting Colombia as well as the [...] |
2009-03-11 21:35:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV CO |
| 09BOGOTA849 |
SUBJECT: URIBE-SUPREME COURT POWER CONTINUES [...] (C) The recent scandal involving the Department of Administrative Security's (DAS) surveillance of several Supreme Court justices has exacerbated the already tense relations between the Court and the GOC. The dispute, originally centered on longstanding turf battles between the Supreme and Co [...] |
2009-03-13 22:03:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL PTER SNAR KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA851 |
REQUEST FOR DVC TO SUPPORT THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS [...] Post would like to request a Digital Video Conference (DVC) to support WHA/PDA's outreach efforts to support the Summit of the Americas. The DVC will cover topics including the Summit process, energy security, human prosperity, environmental sustainability, and a discussion on expected result [...] |
2009-03-13 22:08:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO OIIP ES |
| 09BOGOTA852 |
DON MARIO CONSOLIDATES POWER AS GOC INTENSIFIES [...] (C) GOC officials believe that leading narcotrafficker Daniel Rendon Herrera (aka "Don Mario") has consolidated control over most narcotrafficking in Antioquia and Choco, and has ALSO made major inroads in northeast Colombia. Rendon may also be starting to expand southward to gain access to tr [...] |
2009-03-16 13:41:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA856 |
NEW EMBASSY BRANCH OFFICE OPENS IN CARTAGENA; RECEIVES [...] Summary: The Ambassador inaugurated a new Embassy Branch Office (EBO) in Cartagena on March 3 with an opening ceremony that included the participation of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Clemencia Forero, the Governor of Bolivar, Joaco Hernando Berrio, and the Mayor of Cartagena, Judith [...] |
2009-03-16 15:23:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPAO PGOV CASC SNAR CO |
| 09BOGOTA896 |
PROSECUTOR GENERAL INVESTIGATES SEXUAL VIOLENCE [...] (U) The office of the Prosecutor General (Fiscalia) is investigating 183 cases of sexual abuses of women and girls allegedly committed by former paramilitaries, the FARC, and members of the military and police from 1993-2008. The United Nations High Commission on Human Rights (UNHCHR) highli [...] |
2009-03-17 20:24:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF PGOV PHUM PTER MARR KJUS CO |
| 09BOGOTA9 |
AIR BRIDGE DENIAL: NOVEMBER 2008 PROGRAM UPDATE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. This is the monthly Air Bridge Denial (ABD) activity report for November, 2008, as required by Reftel. The Government of Colombia (GOC) sorted 6160 tracks during November. Two were Unknown, Assumed Suspect (UAS). There was one Phase II event that transitioned to a ground Law [...] |
2009-01-05 19:20:00 | Embassy Bogota | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO |
| 09BOGOTA926 |
SUPREME COURT DEFENDS ITS EXTRADITION STANCE; [...] (SBU) In a March 13 meeting, then Supreme Court President Francisco Ricaurte told the DCM and JUDATT that he had not seen the March 6 U.S. diplomatic note on the Court's decision denying the extradition of FARC member Alexander Farfan Suarez ("Enrque Gafas") to the United States on kidnapping [...] |
2009-03-18 11:45:00 | Embassy Bogota | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KJUS PTER CO |