US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION199

S E C R E T ASUNCION 000199 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE WHA/BSC 
STATE PASS TO USAID LAC/AA 
NSC FOR KIMBERLY BREIER 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, KCRM, KJUS, PINR, SNAR, CO, PA 
SUBJECT: THE FARC AND PARAGUAY: ALLEGATIONS OF KIDNAPPING 
AND SUBVERSION 
 
REF: A. ASUNCION 152 
 
     B. ASUNCION 188 
 
Classified By: CDA Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (S) Summary: AG claims that FARC involvement  in Paraguay 
is growing, asserting he has information from GOC sources to 
back his statement. AG has a history of exaggeration and his 
claims need to be verified, but it appears that the GOP is 
increasingly concerned about foreign leftist influence in the 
countryside. End Summary. 
 
2. (S) February 8 Attorney General (AG) Latorre told Charge 
and Colombian Ambassador to Paraguay: 
-- Sensitive Colombian reporting and e-mail information 
obtained by the AG (after GOC tip) provide solid evidence of 
FARC training Paraguayan subversives in Colombia; 
 -- The same sources show direct FARC involvement in 
supporting the Cubas kidnapping, carried out by the Leftist 
Patria Libre (PL) party in Paraguay; 
-- FARC operative "Comandante Santiago" attended at least one 
meeting in Foz de Iguazu, Brazil with PL operatives involved 
in the Cubas kidnapping; 
-- A FARC operative may have helped draft one of the ransom 
notes for Cubas. 
 
3. (S) Latorre said that, in addition to the "solid evidence" 
mentioned above, there are strong "indications" from 
sensitive Colombian reporting that Rodrigo Granda (recently 
seized by Colombia) is directly involved with a central 
Paraguayan figure detained in the Cubas case (Osmar Martinez 
of Patria Libre.)  Further examination of this reporting is 
ongoing, with a Colombian expert currently in Paraguay to 
support this.  Latorre described the information linking 
Granda to training Paraguayan subversives and the kidnapping 
thus far obtained is "significant" but thus far "not enough 
for an indictment."  Latorre said he briefed President Duarte 
on the possible Granda connection Feb. 8; Duarte had been 
briefed previously on the other FARC information. 
 
4. (C) Comment: NDF's support for President Uribe (ref A) and 
the recent decision to end the Cuban Doctors program (ref B) 
are likely the result of increasing evidence of FARC support 
for crime and subversion in Paraguay, including the Cubas 
kidnapping.  Latorre said the President now sees Castro and 
Chavez in a different light. Increasing FARC 
activity/connection to Paraguay would be consistent with 
press/anecdotal reports of increased drug trafficking through 
Paraguay originating in Colombia. 
 
5. (C) One note of caution: AG Latorre has been under fire 
for failure to solve the Cubas case and could make mistakes 
or exaggerations under pressure.  In addition, he has a 
checkered past, including credible accusations that he has 
manufactured/altered evidence in previous cases.  The Cubas 
investigation has been characterized by infighting, leaks, 
and a lack of professionalism on many levels.  Despite 
repeated promises, Latorre has never turned over the complete 
Cubas file to the Embassy.  We must thus confirm Latorre's 
information whenever possible, including if possible through 
our Mission in Bogota, but the case against the FARC in 
Paraguay is building. End Comment. 
JOHNSON