US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA7332

UNCLAS BOGOTA 007332 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR PM/DTC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, MARR, MOPS, CO 
SUBJECT: INDUMIL'S SAFEGUARDS SUFFICIENT FOR ARMS AND 
MUNITIONS 
 
REF: BOGOTA 004569 
 
1. (U) Several U.S. companies have attempted to seek licenses 
from PM to sell defense articles to the Colombian Military 
(COLMIL) and Police this year and have been denied, possibly 
due to concerns about Colombia's end user controls.  Military 
Industries (INDUMIL) is the Colombian government's only 
entity charged with the production, importation, and sale of 
arms and ammunition in Colombia, both for military and 
private use.  Emboffs toured the INDUMIL manufacturing plant 
and met with Colonel Fidel Ricardo Velandia, Chief of the 
Arms Control Department to learn more about INDUMIL's 
controls.  In addition, Post's Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, 
and Explosives (ATF) office maintains close contact with 
INDUMIL and noted that the following controls are in place to 
control military supply inventories: 
 
- Munitions: Each piece of ammunition produced by INDUMIL is 
stamped with a lot number and recorded so that authorities 
may track or trace it later.  INDUMIL imports and produces 
munitions for COLMIL and civilian use, but civilians must 
pass a rigorous security and background check before 
obtaining a weapon.  Munitions sales are strictly limited and 
by law, Colombians can buy no more than 100 rounds of 
ammunition every six months and to do so must produce the 
appropriate firearms license. 
 
- Small Ordnance: Each weapons component is stamped with a 
code and logged at every step of the assembly process so all 
arms originating at INDUMIL can be traced.  INDUMIL's control 
branch maintains copious documents on all weapons imported 
and leased to private civilians.  The Department of Arms 
Control oversees a background check of each individual 
interested in purchasing arms to ensure he or she does not 
have a criminal history.  If the individual is deemed free of 
wrongdoing, the Department of Arms Control can issue a 
license to have a weapon or carry a weapon (two different 
licenses).  Licenses to maintain a weapon at home must be 
renewed every 10 years, licenses to carry a weapon must be 
renewed every three years, and restricted-use weapons such as 
machine guns and those with more than nine rounds must be 
renewed every year.  Colombian law states that only the 
government can produce or import arms; and all weapons, even 
those held and carried by private citizens, are legally 
property of the government and may be recalled at any time. 
 
2. (U) Given these safeguards, Embassy believes the Colombian 
controls on munitions and small ordnance sales are adequate 
to warrant permit approvals for U.S. suppliers. 
DRUCKER