US embassy cable - 04BOGOTA5327

UNCLAS BOGOTA 005327 
 
SIPDIS 
 
GENEVA FOR JEFF DELAURENTIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, MARR, MASS, PTER, PINR, PREL, CO 
SUBJECT: GOC ORDERED TO COMPENSATE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF 
SANTO DOMINGO BOMBING 
 
1. On May 25, the Administrative Tribunal of Arauca 
department ordered the Government of Colombia to pay 2 
billion pesos (approximately USD 770,000) to the families of 
17 persons killed in an Air Force bombing of the village of 
Santo Domingo, Arauca department, in December 1998.  The 
Tribunal ruled against compensating the family of an 18th 
alleged victim because of insufficient proof that the 
individual died in the bombing.  Fifty-five relatives of the 
17 confirmed victims will be compensated monetarily, the 
amount depending on how each relative was affected by the 
bombing.  Wilson Arcila, president of the tribunal, said the 
decision was based on evidence (including an FBI report) that 
the pilot of the helicopter allegedly responsible for the 
bombing authorized the attack despite knowing civilians were 
present in the village. 
 
2. The decision in the civil case comes five months after the 
Prosecutor General's Office ("Fiscalia") charged the 
helicopter pilot, co-pilot, and navigator with involuntary 
manslaughter.  The three now face trial in civilian court. 
Embassy will continue to monitor progress in the criminal 
case and inquire about the impact of the administrative 
tribunal's ruling. 
WOOD