

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 10STATE369, U) BLUE LANTERN PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #10STATE369.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
10STATE369 | 2010-01-04 21:09 | 2011-04-06 00:12 | SECRET | Secretary of State |
VZCZCXYZ0015
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #0369 0042140
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 042134Z JAN 10
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 0000
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 0000
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0000
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC 0000
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC 0000
RUEPINS/HQ BICE INTEL WASHINGTON DC 0000
S E C R E T STATE 000369
NOFORN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR ECON MEGAN L. SELMON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 25X1-HUMAN
TAGS: CO ETTC KOMC PM SNAR TH
SUBJECT: (U) BLUE LANTERN PRE-LICENSE END USE CHECK ON
APPLICATION TAA 0361-04F AND TAA 4140-08D
REF: A. 06 STATE 92781 07 JUN 2006
¶B. 06 BOGOTA 7094 04 AUG 2006
¶C. STATE 99488 24 SEP 2009
¶D. BOGOTA 3361 12 NOV 2009
¶E. 90 BOGOTA 7550 16 MAY 1990
¶F. IIR 6 819 0285 92 18 DEC 1991
¶G. IIR 6 022 0061 93 23 OCT 1992
¶H. IIR 6 819 0486 93 03 MAR 1993
¶I. IIR 6 022 0380 93 23 MAR 1993
¶J. IIR 6 022 0410 93 25 MAR 1993
¶K. IIR 6 022 0452 93 09 APR 1993
¶L. 1993-08-20-18.19.33 20 AUG 1993
¶M. IIR 6 022 0326 94 17 JUN 1994
¶N. 96 BOGOTA 5708 13 JUN 1996
¶O. IIR 7 500 0135 04 23 MAR 2004
¶P. IIR 7 111 0669 04 04 MAY 2004
Classified By: MULTIPLE SOURCES
¶1. (U) This is an action message. See paragraphs 2-9.
¶2. (U) The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls
Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests post assistance in conducting a
pre-license check on two amendments to previously approved
Technical Assistance Agreements (TAAs). Post is requested to
complete this Blue Lantern check within 30 days. Lack of
response to a Blue Lantern check will affect pending and
future licenses involving parties to this license.
¶3. (U) Reason for request: TAA 0361-04F pertains to the
provision of defense services, unclassified defense articles
and technical data in support of the government of Colombia's
illicit crop eradication program, through fixed and rotary
wing aircraft operations, maintenance, training, and
logistics support. TAA 4140-08D pertains to the transfer of
surveillance and security-related defense articles, defense
services, and unclassified technical data to help maintain
security in Thailand's southern region. Both TAAs seek to
add the same foreign party, Colombian company Vertical de
Aviacion Ltda. On TAA 0361-04F, the applicant wishes to add
Vertical de Aviacion as a sub-licensee for general aircraft
repair. On TAA 4140-08D, the applicant wishes to add
Vertical de Aviacion as a subcontractor to install camera
systems on helicopters. A previous amendment to one of these
TAAs (TAA 0361-04B), sought to add Vertical de Aviacion as a
licensee for aircraft repair and maintenance, however, this
request was denied by the Department due to a Blue Lantern
check that was closed unfavorably (Ref. A-B). More recently,
post responded favorably to a Blue Lantern check on the bona
fides of Vertical de Aviacion as a U.S. registered broker
(Ref. C-D). Because of this variance in post responses,
PM/DTCC wishes to conduct another check in order to resolve
this discrepancy and also obtain additional information from
Vertical de Aviacion.
¶4. (S//NF) Ref. A requested post's assessment of classified
reporting found on Vertical de Aviacion, HelitaxiLtda (the
former name of Vertical de Aviacion), and its owner, Byron
Lopez Salazar, alleging corruption, narcotrafficking, and
money laundering. Post consulted with the DATT, FBI,
USMILGROUP, and DEA at embassy, and confirmed the accuracy of
this reporting (Ref. B).
¶5. (U) According to Jane's and Dun & Bradstreet reports,
Vertical de AviacionLtda was established in 1982 as Helitaxi
Ltda. The name of the company was changed to Vertical de
Aviacion in September 2002. The president of
Helitaxi/Vertical de Aviacion is Byron Lopez Salazar (one or
more of his sons are also involved in this and related
businesses). The following are excerpts about Helitaxi,
Byron Lopez Salazar, and Vertical de Aviacion from 12 reports
dated 1990-2004 (two of these reports were cited in Ref. A).
¶6. (S//NF) SUBJ: AG INVESTIGATES ALLEGED COMMUNICATIONS
BETWEEN EX PRESIDENT LOPEZ MICHELSEN AND PABLO ESCOBAR.
Byron Lopez is believed to have criminal contacts. (Ref. E);
SUBJ: DRUG ACTIVITIES/INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE MELGAR, TOLIMA
DEPT. Byron Lopez is the owner of Helitaxi. The firm was
once taken over by authorities because it was created with
monies coming from the drug trade. (Ref. F); SUBJ: HEROIN
TRAFFICKING. Helicopters belonging to Helitaxi allegedly
land in Barua, load drums of unknown type chemicals, and
transport the drums to the laboratory which is located on a
ranch. Reportedly, the helicopter registration numbers are
removed when they are used for illegal purposes. (Ref. G);
SUBJ: BASIC DATA ON HELITAXI LTDA, COLOMBIAN COMMERCIAL
HELICOPTER SERVICE.HelitaxiLtda has a history of
involvement in drug activities. (Ref. H); SUBJ: HEROIN
TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES. Allegedly, two Helicopters
registered to the Colombian company Helitaxi were used to
transport the chemicals to the laboratory. (Ref. I); SUBJ:
AIR INTELLIGENCE. DEA intelligence suggests that three
Russian Antonov (AN-74) troop transport/cargo jet aircraft
recently purchased by HelitaxiLtda, Bogota, Colombia might
be used to transport drugs. (Ref. J); SUBJ: AIR INTELLIGENCE.
Since Feb. 93, reports have addressed recent aircraft
acquisitions by three Colombian cartel-related air
transportation companies-- HelitaxiLtda, Aviation Total de
Colombia, and Aero Tumi in Peru, as well as speculated on
their possible illicit employment. (Ref. K); SUBJ: NARCOTICS
TRAFFICKER LEONIDAS VARGAS VARGAS.Aerocafe S.A. is owned by
Leonidas Vargas Vargas. Aircraft seized at El Dorado
International Airport, Bogota, Colombia, was purchased in
September 1992 by Colombian company HelitaxiLtda on
Aerocafe's behalf. The owner of Helitaxi, Byron Lopez, owns
property in the same area as Nelson Fabio. In 1991, Helitaxi
possibly sold an aircraft to Aerocafe S.A. (Ref. L); SUBJ:
RUSSIAN MADE HELICOPTERS IN COLOMBIA. Past (DEA) reporting
indicatedHelitaxi possibly may have been involved in drug
smuggling. (Ref. M); SUBJ: SOURCE LISTS MONEY LAUNDERERS AND
FRONT MEN. Carlos Alberto Plata Gomez, an oil industry
analyst, gave the names of other frontmen and money
launderers: -- Byron Lopez Salazar; owner of Helitaxi, a
company that rents the services of helicopters. Plata
described Lopez as the biggest money launderer in Colombia,
laundering money up to USD five billion for the cartel, many
othernarco groups (including the remnants of the Medellin
cartel), and emerald miners/dealers. Plata said Lopez is a
frontman for Fabio Villegas. --Uto Saenz, money launderer
from Pereira who works with Byron Lopez. --Jesus Guerrero;
big money launderer, owner of Servientrega delivery service,
works with Byron Lopez. --Eduardo Escobar; drug trafficker,
associate and friend of Byron Lopez. (Ref. N); SUBJ: ALLEGED
CORRUPTION WITH TIES TO THE PRESIDENCY RELATED TO AVIATION
REPAIR PARTS CONTRACT. Byron Lopez, owner of Vertical de
Aviacion, is the son-in-law of former Colombian president and
current Secretary General of the OAS, Cesar Gaviria. As
early as 1977, Byron Lopez and his former company Helitaxi
have been under suspicion by the DEA for alleged
narcotrafficking, illicit production of narcotics and money
laundering. In 1986, DEA requested a FAA watch on a aircraft
owned by Lopez for suspicious activity and possible
transportation of narcotics. In March 1991, he was alleged
to have established ties with the Medellin drug cartel. In
1994, Lopez drew the attention of the FBI which had Lopez
under suspicion for alleged narcotrafficking and money
laundering with known narcotraffickers. (Ref. O); SUBJ:
COLOMBIAN MI-17 UPGRADES. Vertical de Aviacionis leasing
MI-17s to Colombian government in fight against drugs.
Vertical de Aviacion has 400 employees of which 60 are
Russian. (Ref. P)
¶7. (U) ACTION: PM/DTCC requests post's assessment of Ref.
A-B and E-O in regards to its accuracy, credibility, and
currency. Please seek assistance of all relevant country
team personnel to review/assess this information.
¶8. (U) Post is also requested to contact Vertical de
Aviacion. The U.S. Department of State DDTC Statement of
Registration brokering application for Vertical de Aviacion
Ltda identifies Fernando Jose Lopez as CEO of the company.
Lopez signed the brokering application on 01/30/2009.
Completed application forms are legal documents. Lopez's
signature on the form attested to the "Truth of All
Statements Made Herein Under Penalty According to Federal
Law". One required question on the brokering application
asked if the Registrant (Vertical de AviacionLtda) is Owned
And/Or Controlled By Foreign Persons. No response was
provided to this question. In fact, Dun & Bradstreet, and
other sources show that Vertical de AviacionLtda is a
subsidiary of Icaro International Services S.A. of Panama.
Icaro International Services owns 80% of Vertical de
Aviacion. Thus Fernando Jose Lopez/Vertical de Aviacion is
potentially in violation of USG federal law. Request
Vertical de Aviacion to provide complete street and mailing
address information for Icaro International Services S.A.,
including phone numbers, points of contact, Panama
identification and registration numbers. The government of
Panama agency and/or commercial/legal office for establishing
offshore companies that maintains Icaro International
Services' registration records should also be identified,
including complete address and contact information. Vertical
deAviacion should also provide date of registration, i.e.,
whenIcaro International Services S.A. was established, and
ownership data (name and address of all public and private
persons or other entities who own or control any part of
Icaro). Lastly, Vertical de Aviacion should identify all
other companies, businesses, or entities that are partly or
fully owned by Icaro International Services S.A.
¶9. (U) Additionally, Ref. P and other sources indicate that
Vertical de AviacionLtda employs a significant number of
Russian foreign nationals. According to the International
Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Parts 124.8 and 125.1,
technical data or services exported pursuant to a licensed
agreement may not be transferred or disclosed to foreign
nationals of another country (other than the country of
ultimate destination) without prior written approval of DDTC.
Ref. D furthermore states that Vertical de Aviacion is
interested in importing NVGs, a particularly sensitive
technology. Due to these ITAR requirements and the potential
risk of diversion of sensitive technology, please request
that Vertical de Aviacion provide the full names and
identification numbers of all the Russian foreign nationals
currently employed by Vertical de Aviacion and any of its
co-located companies. END ACTION.
¶10. (U) License Information:
A) DDTC Case Number TAA 0361-04F
LICENSE VALUE: USD 330,000,000.00
APPLICANT:
DynCorp International LLC
3190 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church, Virginia 20242 USA
FOREIGN CONSIGNEE:
Vertical de AviacionLtda
Nueva Zona de Aviacion General
Hangar 19 ViaCatam
Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado
Bogota, DC
COLOMBIA
FOREIGN END USER:
Government of Colombia
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
General aircraft repair.
B) DDTC Case Number TAA 4140-08D
LICENSE VALUE: USD 9,700,000.00
APPLICANT:
Aria International Holdings Inc.
4821 29th Street North
Arlington, Virginia 22207 USA
FOREIGN CONSIGNEE:
Vertical de AviacionLtda
Nueva Zona deAviacion General
Hangar 19 ViaCatam
Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado
Bogota, DC
COLOMBIA
FOREIGN END USER:
Royal Thai Army
RatchadamnoenNok Road, Bangkok
THAILAND
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
Install three camera systems on RTA helicopters and prepare
three additional aircraft so that the cameras can be swapped
out and installed on the flight line. This will require the
installation of wire harnesses and brackets for the six
helicopters.
¶11. (U) Please slug reply for PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN
COORDINATOR and include the words "Blue Lantern" and the DDTC
Case Numbers in the subject line. POC on this case is Peter
Sabatini, PM/DTCC, phone: 202-663-2819; email:
sabtinipj@state.sgov.gov, psabatini@state.ic.gov. The most
current Blue Lantern Guide Book is available at
http://fsi.state.gov/fsi/spas/default.asp?ID= 1588.
Department thanks Post for its assistance in this matter.
CLINTON