US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA10157

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 010157 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/AND AND PRM 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREF, PINS, CO, UN 
SUBJECT: UNHCR REPS CAUGHT IN FARC ATTACK ON VILLAGE IN 
PUTUMAYO 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b&d) 
 
 1. (C) UNHCR officials were caught in the crossfire of a 
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) attack on a 
remote village in southern Putumayo Department near the 
Ecuador border October 23-24.  UNHCR reps (none of whom were 
injured) were participating in a joint effort with the GoC to 
register internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other 
residents for national identity cards.  UNHCR Resident 
Representative Roberto Meier said the FARC clearly knew UNHCR 
was present in the village yet launched the attack that 
lasted for nearly 14 hours.  Meier said he is reevaluating 
UNHCR,s presence in Putumayo Department and may close the 
office there and stop field missions to the area. 
 
2. (U) A UNHCR field rep, volunteer, driver and a 
representative from the Colombian Government,s national 
registry office traveled to a small town outside of San 
Miguel, Putumayo October 23 to provide national identity 
cards to IDPs and other residents.  Many IDPs have lost or 
never had national identity cards that are required to apply 
for GoC assistance.  UNHCR reps notified local authorities in 
advance of their visit by fax and radio (in accordance with 
established security procedures), and had been on the ground 
for five hours before the FARC attacked.  Seven police and 
two civilians were killed, and nine were injured in the 
attack that lasted from 1430 on October 23 to 0400 on October 
24.  The police station and over 20 houses were destroyed as 
a result of the gas cylinder bombs launched by the FARC.  The 
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will provide 
emergency assistance to residents affected by the attacks. 
 
3. (C) Meier said the FARC knew UNHCR was present in the town 
yet launched the attack anyway.  The FARC has crossed a 
redline with UNHCR and Meier will reevaluate UNHCR,s 
operations and field missions in Putumayo and other areas 
with significant FARC presence.  The attack was the first 
serious security problem the UN has had in Colombia since the 
FARC kidnaped Meta governor Alan Jara who was riding in a UN 
vehicle with the UN Development Program director and other 
government officials in July 2001. 
 
WOOD