US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA1159

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 001159 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2015 
TAGS: PTER, PHUM, KJUS, CO, OAS, AUC 
SUBJECT: AUC'S LA MOJANA BLOC DEMOBILIZES AND MANCUSO STEPS 
DOWN 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (U) Summary: 110 members of the La Mojana Bloc of the 
United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) demobilized on 
February 2.  They received Reincorporation Program IDs, took 
a demographic survey, and renounced AUC membership.  Six 
members faced active arrest warrants.  The bloc was active in 
the swampy lowlands of Sucre, Bolivar, and Cordoba 
Departments and had been relatively isolated from the AUC 
central command.  Since 2003, 4,809 paramilitaries have 
demobilized in the peace process.  During the ceremony, it 
was announced that AUC commander Salvatore Mancuso stepped 
down as the AUC's military chief.  He will continue 
participating in negotiations, but his demobilized civilian 
status prevents him from being an armed military commander. 
End Summary. 
 
2. (U) On February 2, the La Mojana Bloc of the United 
Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) demobilized in southern 
Sucre Department.  There were 110 members, who turned in 
their weapons, received a Reincorporation Program ID, took a 
demographic survey, and signed an individual renunciation of 
AUC membership.  The National Registrar's Office began 
verifying, replacing, or newly issuing national 
identification cards ("cedulas") following the ceremony. 
Only six paramilitaries claimed to not have any 
identification documents.  Another six members had active 
arrest warrants; the GOC is verifying if these warrants are 
for pardonable crimes.  If not pardonable, the individuals 
will be required to go to the concentration zone in Santa Fe 
de Ralito, Cordoba Department.  The demobilization took place 
in a specially designated zone in a public recreation area in 
the rural district of Nueva Esperanza in the municipality of 
Guaranda.  The zone will be in existence until February 4, 
after which time the paramilitaries will be required to 
report to a reinsertion center within eight days. 
 
3. (C) The bloc was active in the La Mojana lowlands where 
Sucre, Bolivar, and Cordoba Departments meet.  The area's 
swampy terrain made the bloc generally autonomous from the 
AUC central command.  The more populated northern part of 
Sucre has a heavy FARC presence in the mountainous region of 
Montes de Maria, while the capital city and the coast is 
dominated by a paramilitary strongman called "Ricardo 
Cadena."  Cadena is loosely affiliated with the AUC but has 
not participated in the peace process. 
 
4. (U) The La Mojana Bloc's demobilization brings the total 
paramilitaries demobilized collectively since 2003 to 4,809. 
 
5. (C) During the ceremony, Peace Commissioner Restrepo spoke 
on behalf of the GOC, and several other government, church, 
and OAS officials attended.  Senior paramilitary commander 
Ernesto Baez and bloc commander Ramon Mojana represented the 
AUC.  Unlike past demobilizations, AUC commander Salvatore 
Mancuso did not attend.  Mancuso, who formally demobilized 
and disarmed late last year and demobilized all the blocs 
that were under his direct control, has stepped down as the 
AUC's military chief.  He will remain in the concentration 
zone in Ralito and continue participating in negotiations. 
Julian Bolivar, the political commander of the Central 
Bolivar Bloc (BCB), agreed to replace Mancuso for one month. 
The BCB is the second largest paramilitary group represented 
at the negotiating table in Ralito.  It is required to 
demobilize by the end of 2005. 
WOOD