US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION913

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000913 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/BSC AND EB/IFD/OIA 
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/AA 
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR SCRONIN AND LYANG 
NSC FOR KIM BREIER 
TREASURY FOR OSIA MAUREEN WAFER 
TREASURY FOR OTA WARFIELD, VAN KOCH, MILLAR 
COMMERCE FOR ITA SARAH COOK 
SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD DAN JOHNSON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, PGOV, PHUM, PREL, SNAR, KCRM, PA 
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC UPDATE, JULY 11 - 
15 
 
REF: ASUNCION 813 
 
1. SUMMARY 
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-- TIPS: Two Minors to be Repatriated from Argentina 
-- Business Ethics Pact Signed 
-- SENAD Agents Capture Narco-Trafficker Wanted in Brazil 
-- Anti-Narcotics Agents Seize Plane, Drugs and 4 Suspects 
-- Wanted Posters Target Traffickers 
 
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TIP: Two Minors to be Repatriated from Argentina 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
2. (U) On July 11, the Paraguayan Ambassador to Argentina, 
Orlando Fiorotto, announced that two minors exploited in the 
sex trade would be returning to Paraguay soon.  These young 
girls were among 33 women and children rescued in the suburbs 
of Buenos Aires.  Two other minors were repatriated last 
week, one of whom was pregnant.  According to Eugenio Ambrosi 
of the International Organization of Migration (IOM), 
trafficking of children and women increased by 27 percent in 
the last five years in Paraguay. 
 
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Business Ethics Pact Signed 
--------------------------- 
 
3. (U) On July 13, approximately 110 local businesses became 
initial signers of the New Business Ethics Pact (Pacto Etico 
Comercial), a U.S. Department of Commerce-sponsored code of 
conduct designed to encourage ethical business practices. 
The Ambassador addressed the group and Paraguayan Ambassador 
to the U.S. James Spalding was present.  A council of 
business leaders from a variety of industries specifically 
selected the invited businesses.  The signing will be 
followed in August by a more public ceremony to raise 
awareness about business ethics. 
 
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SENAD Agents Capture Narco-Trafficker Wanted in Brazil 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
4. (U) On July 12, during a raid one block from the DCMs 
residence, the National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) 
captured Brazilian national Luis Alberto Da Cunha, alias 
Barba, who was on their Top Ten Most Wanted List.  In 
cooperation with the Brazilian National Police, SENAD seized 
weapons, cars, cellular telephones and false documents.  Da 
Cunha was one of the largest drug traffickers in the country 
and is connected to Ivan Mesquita, who was extradited to the 
United States (see ref).  Brazil is seeking extradition of Da 
Cunha. 
 
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Anti-Narcotics Agents Seize Plane, Drugs and 4 Suspects 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
5. (U) On July 13, during an early morning operation in San 
Ignacio, the agents from the Anti-Narcotics Operations 
Directorate (DOA), seized an airplane containing 682 Kilos of 
pressed marijuana bound for Argentina and detained 4 men. 
Authorities arrested the pilot, Pedro Benito Porres, of 
Argentina; Ruben Vittar, a mechanic; Geronimo Antonio 
Martinez Castillo and Ruben Mario Pino Munoz, all citizens of 
Paraguay. 
 
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Wanted Posters Target Drug Traffickers 
-------------------------------------- 
 
6. (U) With assistance from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) 
and a visiting DOD Civil Affairs MIST team, the National 
Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD) has been using Wanted Posters 
and advertisements in the newspapers to get leads on their 
Most Wanted Persons.  The advertisements have produced many 
calls and positive leads.  SENAD Chief Ibarra told DCM the 
campaign has narcos hunkering down, possibly making them 
easier to capture. 
KEANE