US embassy cable - 04CARACAS1154

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001154 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NSC FOR CBARTON 
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD 
USAID DCHA/OTI FOR RPORTER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/03/2013 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, VE 
SUBJECT: TORTURE VICTIM DIES OF INJURIES 
 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ABELARDO A. ARIAS FOR REASONS 1.4 (B 
    ) AND (D) 
 
1. (U) ARMY PERSONNEL OF THE 11TH INFANTRY BATTALION DETAINED 
JUAN CARLOS ZAMBRANO, HIS COMMON-LAW WIFE, HIS BROTHER AND 
ANOTHER COMPANION MARCH 6 IN LAGUNILLAS, ZULIA STATE.  DURING 
MARCH 6-9, THEY ALLEGEDLY BEAT AND TORTURED THE MEN AND RAPED 
ZAMBRANO'S WIFE.  ZAMBRANO DIED OF HIS INJURIES ON MARCH 10, 
INCLUDING MASSIVE TRAUMA TO MOST OF HIS BODY AND INTERNAL 
HEMORRHAGING, ACCORDING TO THE FORENSIC REPORT.  THE THREE 
SURVIVING VICTIMS ARE ILLITERATE AND COULD NOT READ THE 
SOLDIERS' NAMES ON THEIR UNIFORMS BUT HAVE GIVEN DETAILED 
STATEMENTS OF THE ATTACKS.  THE HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION 
COFAVIC DOCUMENTED THE INCIDENT IN A MARCH 18 REPORT. 
 
2. (U) IN RESPONSE TO THIS EVENT, THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 
FORMED A SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE COMMISSION COMPRISED OF SEVEN 
DEPUTIES, AND HEADED BY ROBERTO QUINTEROS (MVR) AND JESUS 
CARRILLO (AD).  THE COMMISSION INTERVIEWED THE VICTIMS AND 
REVIEWED THE MEDICAL AND AUTOPSY REPORTS BUT WAS STYMIED IN 
ITS ATTEMPTS TO DISCOVER THE IDENTITY OF THE SOLDIERS WHO 
PARTICIPATED IN THE ATTACK.  "THE MILITARY SHOULD TELL US 
WHICH SOLDIERS AND OFFICERS WERE ON DUTY THAT DAY AND ALLOW 
US TO INSPECT THE ROSTER," CARRILLO ASSERTED IN A MARCH 31 
PRESS INTERVIEW.  CARRILLO CHARGED THAT SUCH INCIDENTS HAVE 
BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME IN THE MILITARY, BUT THE 
VICTIMS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TOO FRIGHTENED TO COME FORWARD. 
DAILY TALCUAL REPORTED APRIL 2 THAT THE COMMISSION HAS ASKED 
DEFENSE MINISTER GEN. JORGE LUIS GARCIA CARNEIRO TO ORDER HIS 
SUBORDINATES TO COOPERATE IN THE INVESTIGATION.  THERE HAS 
BEEN NO RESPONSE YET FROM THE MINISTER. 
 
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COMMENT 
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3. (C) THE ZAMBRANO CASE HIGHLIGHTS THE CONTINUED POTENTIAL 
FOR MILITARY ABUSES IN VENEZUELA.  THE ABSENCE OF POLITICS 
FROM THE CASE, ALTHOUGH THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE WAKE OF 
POLITICAL VIOLENCE, MAY MAKE IT EASIER TO HAVE A TRUE 
INVESTIGATION.  THE REFLEXIVE REACTION FROM THE MILITARY 
HIERARCHY TO CLOSE OFF INQUIRIES, HOWEVER, SIGNALS THE REAL 
POSSIBILITY THAT THE ARMY WILL REVERT TO PRACTICES PREVIOUSLY 
REGARDED AS ANACHRONISTIC. 
SHAPIRO 
 
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      2004CARACA01154 - CONFIDENTIAL