US embassy cable - 05QUITO1021

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 001021 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, EC 
SUBJECT: NEW POLICE CHIEF A US ALLY 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR KRISTIE A. KENNEY REASON 1.4 (B&D) 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  New National Police Chief Jose Antonio 
Vinueza told the Ambassador his priorities would be to 
restructure the police force, combat narco-trafficking, and 
restore the police's reputation.  Vinueza vowed to continue 
to be a strong US ally.  He said relations with the military 
were good, and that they had already closely collaborated on 
the operation to get former President Gutierrez out of 
Ecuador.  While Vinueza wanted to keep up appearances, it 
seemed his relationship with the Minister of Government was 
strained.  End Summary. 
 
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Restructuring the Police Force 
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2.  (C) In a May 4 meeting, new Chief of Police Jose Antonio 
Vinueza discussed his priorities with the Ambassador and DCM, 
which included restructuring the police force, combating 
narco-trafficking, and restoring the police's reputation and 
prestige.  Vinueza has had a long-time relationship with the 
US on some of our most sensitive issues, such as 
anti-narcotics.  Vinueza said he had a plan to restructure 
the police force to make it more efficient.  Vinueza also 
said he would like to promote community policing.  Vinueza 
spoke of using a modern management style, utilizing his whole 
team, not just concentrating power at the top.  Due to the 
importance of the fight against narco-trafficking, Vinueza 
said he would be putting his best people in that division. 
Vinueza said he wanted younger police to feel as if they 
could have a full career in the police force.  The Ambassador 
emphasized the US wanted to be helpful to the Ecuadorian 
police; there were several training opportunities the US 
offered and she suggested Vinueza identify good candidates 
for such training.  The Ambassador thanked him for the 
security police provide both at the Embassy and the 
Ambassador's residence; Vinueza vowed to continue providing 
protection. 
 
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Regaining the Public's Respect 
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3.  (C) Vinueza thought that the public had been overly 
critical of the police for their actions during 
anti-Gutierrez protests; he would, however, seek to restore 
the public's confidence in the institution.  Vinueza would 
work on ridding the police force of corruption, using 
polygraph tests to weed out dishonest officers.  Vinueza said 
he made it clear to Joint Forces Chief Admiral Manuel Zapater 
that he wanted to restore public respect for the police, but 
not at the expense of the armed forces.  Vinueza said that 
former Minister of Social Welfare Patricio Acosta was leading 
the investigation into former Minister of Government Oscar 
Ayerve's actions during Gutierrez' last days; Vinueza assured 
Acosta that police officers would be available to testify. 
(We canceled Acosta's US visa on corruption grounds in 2004. 
Since, he has played up his meetings with FARC officials and 
has traveled often to Venezuela.  The Acosta connection with 
the Palacio government troubles us.) 
 
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Good Relations With the Military 
-------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C) When asked if police-military relations had suffered 
during the recent political events, Vinueza said relations 
were good.  Vinueza told of having worked previously with 
Joint Commander Zapater in the northern coastal province of 
Esmeraldas on joint anti-narcotics patrols.  Vinueza said he 
had a great relationship with Zapater.  Vinueza gave the 
example of their recent coordination on police and military 
planning for possible May Day march disturbances on May 1, 
where police and military openly shared information.  Vinueza 
said he and Zapater were once again on "joint patrol" as they 
had been in Esmeraldas. 
 
5.  (C) Vinueza said the police and military are coordinating 
closely, beginning with the operation to get former President 
Gutierrez out of the country.  On this mission, Vinueza 
worked closely with his high school friend Air Force Chief 
General Edmundo Baquero to formulate a detailed plan and 
execute a precise mission. 
 
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Relations with MinGov Strained 
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6.  (C) While Vinueza first said that relations with Minister 
of Government Mauricio Gandara were excellent, he later gave 
the impression this was not the case.  Vinueza said he was 
concerned about Gandara's plan to have rotating positions for 
youth in the Ministry of Government who would be in charge of 
restructuring the police.  Vinueza was also concerned about 
Gandara's frequent meetings with leftist human rights groups. 
 
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Comment 
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7.  (C) Vinueza was thoughtful and clearly will continue to 
be a US ally.  We will continue to collaborate with police on 
common goals such as national security and combating 
narco-trafficking.  While police relations with the military 
appear to have good prospects, we foresee some evolving 
problems between Vinueza and Gandara.  End Comment. 
 
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Bio info 
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8.  (U) Vinueza has a bachelor's degree in political science, 
social science, and physical education.  He joined the police 
force in 1971 and has served as director of personnel. 
Vinueza also served as subdirectior of the National 
Antinarcotics Directorate for the Second District.  He has 
also been president of the Andean Regional Commission on 
Anti-narcotics Intelligence. 
KENNEY