US embassy cable - 89BOGOTA19932

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 19932 
 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR 
TAGS: PTER, PINS, MOPS, PGOV, CO 
SUBJECT: A FARC AMBUSH KILLS 10 MILITARY IN META 
 
1.  (U)  AN AMBUSH BY A GUERRILLA COLUMN ON AN ARMY 
CONVOY KILLED TEN MILITARY IN LA PICOTA HILL, META 
DEPARTMENT IN THE EASTERN PLAINS, DECEMBER 23.  THE 
INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE A SEVENTH BRIGADE PATROL 
SEARCHED FOR THE 250-MAN GUERRILLA UNIT, BELIEVED TO 
BELONG TO THE FARC GUERRILLAS.  THE ARMY UNIT, BASED IN 
THE DEPARTMENTAL CAPITAL OF VILLAVICENCIO, HAD DETECTED 
THE PRESENCE OF THE GUERRILLA GROUP IN NORTHEASTERN 
META.  AS THE THREE VEHICLES TRANSPORTING THE MILITARY 
REACHED LA PICOTA HILL, DYNAMITE CHARGES PRE-POSITIONED 
ON THE ROUTE DETONATED UNDER THE TWO LEADING VEHICLES. 
THE GUERRILLAS CONCEALED IN THE AREA SURROUNDING THE 
BOMBING SITE THEN LOOSED A FUSILLADE OF AUTOMATIC FIRE 
ON THEIR VICTIMS, SOME OF WHOM MANAGED TO FIRE BACK. 
THE NUMBER OF ARMY WOUNDED REMAINS UNDISCLOSED BUT IS 
REPORTEDLY HEAVY.  THE NEW COMMANDER OF THE SEVENTH 
BRIGADE, GENERAL LUIS FRANCISCO CORREA CASTANEDA, 
IMMEDIATELY ASSUMED CHARGE OF AN ARMY PURSUIT OPERATION 
WHICH AS OF DECEMBER 26 HAD FAILED TO MAKE CONTACT. 
 
2.  (U)  THIS IS THE SIXTH (AND WORST) AMBUSH IN 1989 BY 
THE FARC ON POLICE OR MILITARY UNITS IN META DEPARTMENT, 
A REGION WITH A HEAVY FARC PRESENCE.  TOTAL DEAD ON THE 
SIDE OF THE SECURITY FORCES FROM GUERRILLA AMBUSHES IN 
META IS FIFTEEN MILITARY AND TWO POLICE.  IN THE LAST 
FIFTEEN MONTHS (SINCE OCTOBER 1988), GUERRILLA GROUPS 
HAVE KILLED A TOTAL OF FORTY NINE MILITARY AND POLICE IN 
SIMILAR AMBUSHES NATIONWIDE. 
 
3.  (C)  COMMENT:  THE CONTINUING EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE 
DYNAMITE ATTACKS POINTS UP THE ABIDING INABILITY OF THE 
ARMED FORCES TO EMPLOY BASIC TACTICS THAT WILL PROTECT 
THEM FROM AMBUSHES, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHERN COLOMBIA. 
 
 
MCLEAN