

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 08LIMA1552, IMPOVERISHED APURIMAC REGION: ON BRINK OF MINING
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. #08LIMA1552.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08LIMA1552 | 2008-09-22 15:03 | 2011-02-25 12:12 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Lima |
VZCZCXYZ0007
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHPE #1552/01 2661503
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 221503Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9358
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION PRIORITY 2028
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 5996
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 7933
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 3470
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 1224
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ SEP 4978
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 9578
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 2071
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 2003
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 001552
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV SNAR EMIN PREL PINR PE
SUBJECT: IMPOVERISHED APURIMAC REGION: ON BRINK OF MINING
BOOM?
REF: A. LIMA 3075
¶B. LIMA 3217
Classified By: Amb. P ...
id: 170946
date: 9/22/2008 15:03
refid: 08LIMA1552
origin: Embassy Lima
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination: 08LIMA3075|08LIMA3217
header:
VZCZCXYZ0007
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHPE #1552/01 2661503
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 221503Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9358
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION PRIORITY 2028
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 5996
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 7933
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 3470
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 1224
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ SEP 4978
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 9578
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 2071
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 2003
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL PRIORITY
----------------- header ends ----------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 001552
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV SNAR EMIN PREL PINR PE
SUBJECT: IMPOVERISHED APURIMAC REGION: ON BRINK OF MINING
BOOM?
REF: A. LIMA 3075
¶B. LIMA 3217
Classified By: Amb. P Michael McKinley for reasons 1.4b and d.
¶1. (C) Summary: Apurimac ranks as Peru's second most
impoverished region and is best known to the outside world
for its periodic political turbulence. Two mega-mining
projects could transform this predominantly agricultural
region with massive, multi-billion dollar investments. The
prospect of these investments in poor communities has raised
concerns about socio-economic "distortions" and future social
conflicts like those seen in other mining areas in Peru.
Regional opposition leaders have sought to stoke and exploit
these tensions to build support for future elections.
Apurimac also suffers from the presence from armed groups --
allegedly Shining Path -- linked to narcotraffickers that
transit the region en route from the Apurimac and Ene River
Valley (VRAE) coca-production zone. End Summary.
Impoverished, Politically Turbulent Region
------------------------------------------
¶2. (SBU) Apurimac has an official poverty rate of about
69.5% and ranks as Peru's second most impoverished region
after nearby Huancavelica. The region lacks significant
mining revenues and as a result receives one of the smallest
investment budgets per capita of any Peruvian region -- $130
million for a population of just over 400,000 people. (By
contrast, Tacna Region receives twice as much per capita for
investment thanks to plentiful mining revenues.) Apurimac's
woeful infrastructure reflects its poverty and isolation: the
region's two main cities, Abancay and Apurimac, are connected
by a rutted, dirt road that requires half a day to navigate
and features dangerous hairpin curves that overlook drops of
thousands of feet. Along the way, one passes through
isolated villages with almost no basic services.
¶3. (SBU) Apurimac is perhaps best known by the outside world
for the "Andahuaylazo" rebellion launched in January 2005 by
Antauro Humala, brother of opposition leader Ollanta Humala.
In the event, Antauro and some 160 of his followers captured
the police station in Andahuaylas and called for
then-President Alejandro Toledo to resign. Six died in
ensuing clashes before the rebels surrendered. Apurimac
returned to national and international headlines in December
2006 when 4,000 protestors in the regional capital Abancay
demanded the Regional President's resignation for favoring
Andahuaylas in an ongoing intra-city dispute over resources.
Police quelled the protests but left over 80 injured.
Apurimac residents have participated vigorously in various
national and local protests since 2006. The region voted
overwhelmingly for Ollanta Humala over Alan Garcia -- about
74% to 26% -- in the second round of the 2006 presidential
election.
On the Cusp of a Mining Boom
----------------------------
¶4. (U) Apurimac has two mega-mining projects currently under
development that could have a dramatic impact on this
predominantly agrarian region. The Las Bambas copper
project, operated by the Swiss company Xstrata Copper, is
located on remote land in southeastern Apurimac, far from
major population centers. Xstrata executives told Emboffs
that the project is in the exploration phase and that they
expect to earn some $200 million in revenue per year once
they begin production in 2010 or 2011. The second project,
controlled by the consortium Apurimac Ferrum, would focus on
mining Andahuaylas province's vast iron ore deposits.
Although the consortium is just beginning to develop
community relations and has not yet begun exploration, local
leaders expect investors to pour in $2.4 billion and
construct a railroad to the coast to ship the metals.
Looming Social Conflicts Near Mining Sites
------------------------------------------
¶5. (C) While the mining projects would bring sorely needed
resources to region, the prospect of massive investments in
impoverished communities is causing fear among some locals of
socioeconomic distortions -- such as village displacement,
environmental degredation, an influx of outsiders, and an
increase in alcohol consumption and prostitution -- and
threatens to provoke social conflicts like those seen in
other parts of Peru (Refs A & B). The Mayor of Andahuaylas
told Poloff that Apurimac Ferrum representatives launched its
dialogue with local communities poorly, causing local leaders
to dig in their heals. The mayor emphasized the conflictive
nature of the local populace and said the company now has
extra groundwork to do before the communities will allow them
to do business. Xstrata, by contrast, has handled community
relations effectively, according to a cross-section of local
observers, with early and frequent communication with
affected populations. A mining industry expert at the NGO
Oxfam, which is often critical of international mining
operations in Peru, cited Xstrata's work in Apurimac as an
example of positive community outreach.
Opposition Leaders Exploit Tensions
-----------------------------------
¶6. (C) Regional opposition leaders have sought to stoke and
exploit social tensions in Apurimac in the hopes of building
support for future elections. Soon after the 2006 regional
elections, key opposition figure and former Union for Peru
(UPP) Congressman Michel Martinez launched a campaign to
recall Regional President David Salazar. Although the recall
campaign ultimately failed, one of Salazar's advisors told
Poloff it distracted Salazar from focusing on his job for
nearly a year. (Note: Recall campaigns and other opposition
attacks have weakened Regional Presidents and localQeaders
across Peru. End Note.) Several peasant leaders and Martinez
followers in Andahuaylas told Poloff that the Mayor and
Regional President had abandoned the poor, and they
threatened to launch new protests in coming weeks. Other
observers noted that Nelson Palomino -- a prominent
coca-grower leader that reportedly coordinates with Martinez
and other leftist leaders around Peru -- has appeared
recently in Apurimac to deliver anti-mining speeches and
organize peasants. (Note: Michel Martinez is infamous for
having invited Ollanta Humala in 2006 to run for President
under the UPP banner after Humala's own party failed to
qualify. Martinez reportedly expected tQgain a Vice
Presidential nomination in return, but Humala instead blocked
him entirely from running for office. Martinez now describes
Humala as a danger to Peru. End Note.)
Presence of Armed Groups
------------------------
¶7. (C) Apurimac also suffers from the presence from armed
groups -- allegedly Shining Path -- linked by most observers
to narcotraffickers who transit the region en route from the
VRAE coca-production zone. Several officials said that
locals regularly spot small armed groups of two to five
fighters circulating in Andahuaylas province. The Mayor of
one small town told Poloff that a group of Shining Path came
to his town to seek a meeting, but thankfully he (the mayor)
was traveling. The town's police chief said that the Shining
Path no longer uses force to terrorize and recruit locals,
but instead relies on persuasion. Another political leader
in Andahuaylas said that he had observed a group of 32 armed
fighters based near the border with Ayacucho region that
locals told him had plans "to seize power". He did not know
who they were or who financed them.
MCKINLEY
=======================CABLE ENDS============================