| TEXT COUNTRY: (U) BOLIVIA (BL). VIDEOTAPE OF SHOOTING IN THE CHAPARE. (U) WARNING: (U) THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE. REPORT CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUMMARY: (U) A LOCAL CAMERAMAN CAPTURES ON VIDEOTAPE THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE 20011206 SHOOTING DEATH OF A CHAPARE RESIDENT. ENCLOSURE. TEXT: 1. (C) ON 20011206, TWO CHAPARE RESIDENTS WERE SHOT, ONE FATALLY, DURING A CONFRONTATION WITH BOLIVIAN MILITARY FORCES ASSIGNED TO THE CHAPARE COCA GROWING REGION. SEVERAL CONFLICTING VERSIONS OF THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE INCIDENT HAVE SURFACED IN THE BOLIVIAN PRESS AND, NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE MILITARY VERSION OF THE SHOOTING PLACED THE BLAME ON THE CIVILIAN RESIDENTS OF THE CHAPARE. FURTHERMORE, THE MILITARY CLAIMED THAT A VIDEO TAPE EXISTED THAT WOULD CONCLUSIVELY PROVE THEIR VERSION OF THE EVENTS WAS THE TRUTH. REDACTED: 4 LINES HAS OBTAINED AND REVIEWED A COPY OF THE VIDEO TAPE IN QUESTION. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VIDEO TAPE DOES VERY LITTLE TO PROVE CONCLUSIVELY WHICH VERSION OF THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE SHOOTING IS CORRECT. WHILE THE VIDEO TAPE WILL BE OF LITTLE HELP IN PLACING THE BLAME FOR THE DEATH OF THE COCALERO LEADER, THE VIDEO TAPE DOES REVEAL OTHER INTERESTING FACTS. 2. (C) THE FIFTEEN (15) MINUTE VIDEO TAPE BEGINS WITH A SCENE WHERE BOLIVIAN MILITARY MEMBERS ARE OBSERVED DEMANDING THAT CHAPARE RESIDENTS BEGIN LOADING FRUIT LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO MILITARY VEHICLES. WHEN THE RESIDENTS ARE SLOW RESPONDING THE VIDEO TAPE SHOWS THE BOLIVIAN MILITARY RESPONDING BY KICKING AND HITTING THE CIVILIANS WITH STICKS AND CLUBS. THE VIDEO TAPE THEN RECORDS THE SHOOTING, WHICH IS NOT ACTUALLY SEEN BUT ONLY HEARD. SEVEN (7) DISTINCT DISCHARGES ARE HEARD. THESE DISCHARGES ARE NOT ALL IDENTICAL AND MAY HAVE BEEN DISCHARGES FROM RIFLES, TEAR GAS LAUNCHERS OR HANDGUNS. FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING THE VIDEO TAPE RECORDS THE DISCOVERY OF THE TWO (2) WOUNDED CIVILIANS, THEIR TRANSPORTATION TO A LOCAL CLINIC IN BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK AND THE SUBSEQUENT DEATH OF CASIMIRO ((HUANCA)). FINALLY, A COCALERO LEADER/SPOKESMAN IS INTERVIEWED ABOUT THE EVENTS AND IS HEARD TO CLAIM THAT A MILITARY MEMBER SHOT HUANCA AFTER HE FELL IN A HOLE WHILE TRYING TO RUN AWAY. COMMENTS: REDACTED: 3 LINES2. THE VIDEOTAPE IS DISJOINTED WITH SEVERAL ACTION BREAKS AND GAPS RESULTING IN AN UNCLEAR PRESENTATION OF THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE SHOOTING, MAKING IT ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF HUANCA. NEVERTHELESS, THE VIDEO TAPE IS CLEAR ENOUGH TO SHOW THAT THE MILITARY’S VERSION OF THE EVENTS OF 20011206 IS INACCURATE AT BEST AND A COMPLETE FABRICAT1ON AT WORSE. THE TAPE DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY EVIDENCE OF THE REPORTED ROAD BLOCK, DRUNK, AGGRESSIVE, ROCK THROWING CIVILIANS OR THE SCUFFLE THAT RESULTED IN THE "ACCIDENTAL" SHOOTING. ON THE OTHER HAND THE TAPE DOES SHOW THE BOLIVIAN MILITARY TO BE VERY DISORGANIZED, UNDISCIPLINED AND POORLY LED WHEN CONFRONTiNG A SMALL AND APPARENTLY UNARMED GROUP OFCIVILIANS. THE TAPE ALSO SHOWS THAT AFTER THE TWO (2) CIVILIANS WERE SHOT THE MILITARY ESSENTIALLY LEFT THE SCENE AND DID NOTHING TO EITHER RENDER FIRST AID, TRANSPORT THE WOUNDED TO A HOSPITAL OR TAKE ANY INDIVIDUALS INTO CUSTODY. THE FINAL SCENES OF THE LOCAL MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND FACILITIES ARE EQUALLY TROUBLING. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE LOCAL MEDICAL PERSONNEL ARE POORLY TRAINED AND I.NCAPABLE OF HANDLING THE GUNSHOT WOUNDS OF EITHER VICTIM, SEEMINGLY RESIGNED TO SIMPLY CLEAN THE WOUNDS WHILE HUANCA BLEEDS TO DEATH ON THE EMERGENCY ROOM TABLE. GENERALLY, THIS VIDEO TAPE COULD BE USED BY MILITARY AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL AS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF "WHAT NOT TO DO" IN TERMS OF CROWD CONTROL, MILITARY DISCIPLINE AND MEDICAL CARE.
WARNING: (U) REPORT CLASSIFIED DRVD FM; DHS SCG, OCTOBER 97 END OF MESSAGE
DOCUMENT ID: 189695174 (b)(2) PRODUCER: JCS SOUKCE: DODIR CONTROLS LA PAZ BL TEXT COUNTRY: (U) BOLIVIA (BL) COMBINE: COMPLETE SUBJ: IIR REDACTED WORD(S) LIGHT MILITARY SANCTIONS RESULT FROM THE 20011206 SHOOTING DEATH OF A CHAPARE RESIDENT INVOLVED IN A CONFRONTATION WITH BOLIVIAN ARMY FORCES ASSIGNED TO THE COCA GROWING REGION. (U) WARNING: (U) THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE. REPORT CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE REDACTED LIGHT MILITARY SANCTIONS RESULT FROM THE 20011206 SHOOTING DEATH OF A CHAPARE RESIDENT INVOLVED IN A CONFRONTATION WITH BOLIVIAN ARMY FORCES ASSIGNED TO THE COCA GROWING REGION. SOLIDER ABSOLVED OF ANY WRONGDOING, LIEUTENANT CONFINED TO QUARTERS FOR 48 HOURS. TEXT: 1. (C) REDACTED WORDS ATTENDED A 20011220 MEETING WITH REDACTED 1.5 LINES SAID THE. BOLIVIAN ARMED FORCES MILITARY TRIBUNAL HAD RECENTLY FINALIZED ITS DECISION WITH REGARD TO TWO ARMYMEMBERS INVOLVED IN THE 20011206 SHOOTING DEATH OF A CHAPARE RESIDENT INVOLVED IN A CONFRONTATION WITH BOLIVIAN ARMY FORCES ASSIGNED TO THE COCA GROWING REGION. THE SOLDIER WHOSE WEAPON DISCHARGED, CAUSING THE DEATH OF CASIMIRO ((HUANCA)), WAS FOUND TO HAVE ACTED IN SELF DEFENSE AND WAS ABSOLVED OF ANY WRONGDOING. MEANWHILE, THE TRIBUNAL FOUND THAT THE ARMY LIEUTENANT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SOLDIERS INVOLVED IN THIS INCIDENT, FAILED TO EXERT SUFFICIENT CONTROL OVER OF THE SOLDIERS, AND WAS ORDERED CONFINED TO HIS QUARTERS (HOUSE ARREST) FOR 48 HOURS AS PUNISHMENT. REDACTED NAME INDICATED THAT NO FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE ARMY AGAINST EITHER THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED.2. (C) REDACTED NAME SAID THE TRIBUNAL’S REVIEW OF THE INCIDENT HAD RENDERED A FAIR JUDGMENT FOR BOTH OF THE MILITARY PERSONNEL INVOLVED. REDACTED NAME SAID THAT THE GOALS OUTLINED IN ‘PLAN DIGNIDAD" (GOB PLAN TO ERADICATE EXCESS COCA IN BOLIVIA) MUST BE MET AND THAT ILLEGAL COCA GROWERS IN THE CHAPARE MUST BE DEALT WITH FIRMLY. REDACTED NAME SAID THE EVIDENCE IN THIS CASE PROVED THAT THE SOLDIER WHOSE RIFLE "ACCIDENTALLY" DISCHARGED WAS ACTING IN SELFDEFENSE AGAINST A "CLEARLY BELLIGERENT COCALERO." REDACTED NAME SAID THAT THE SOLDIER WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THE COCALEROS IF THE WEAPON HAD NOT DISCHARGED.3. (C) REDACTED NAME SAID REDACTED NAME HAD SEEN THE VIDEO OF WHAT OCCURRED AND WAS BOTHERED BY THE LACK OF "SUFFICIENT"DISCIPLINE AND CONTROL DEMONSTRATED BY THE LIEUTENANT IN CHARGE OF THE ARMY SOLDIERS. REDACTED NAME SAID THAT GIVEN THEEVIDENCE REDACTED NAME REVIEWED, TO INCLUDE THE VIDEO, THETRIBUNAL’S DECISION OF 48 HOURS OF CONFINEMENT TO QUARTERS IS SUFFICIENT PUNISHMENT FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE. COMMENTS: REDACTED 3 LINES2. (C) REDACTED WORD(S) THE FINDINGS PROVIDED BY THE MILITARY TRIBUNAL AGAINST THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS FAILED TO RESOLVE THE RADICALLY DIFFERENT VERSIONS Of WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HUANCA’S DEATH, THE FINDING DISMISSES COCALERO ALLEGATIONS THAT HUANCA WAS SHOT INTENTIONALLY BY ARMY PERSONNEL. AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED REDACTED WORD(S) THE VIDEOTAPE PROVIDED NO CORROBORATING EVIDENCE FOR THE MILITARY’S VERSION OF WHAT HAPPENED. VARIOUS SENIORMILITARY OFFICIALS ALLEGE THE EXISTENCE OF A COCALERO ROAD BLOCK; DRUNKEN, AGGRESSIVE, ROCK_THROWING CIVILIANS; AND A SCUFFLE THAT RESULTED IN THE "ACCIDENTAL" SHOOTING. GIVEN THE ASTONISHINGLY POOR MILITARY DISCIPLINE DEMONSTRATED BY ARMY PERSONNEL ON THE VIDEOTAPE, THE TRIBUNAL’S FINDINGS APPEAR TO SIMPLY RUBBERSTAMP AND THEREBY VINDICATE THE MILITARY’S OWN VERSION OF WHAT OCCURRED. THE BOLIVIAN MILITARY’S DECISION TO TAKE NO ACTION AGAINST THE SOLDIER WHOSE WEAPON DISCHARGED AND SIMPLY RESTRICT THE OFFICER IN CHARGE TO HIS QUARTERS IS LIKELY TO GENERATE A FURTHER OUTCRY AGAINST THE GOB’S POLICIES IN THE CHAPARE.
WARNING: (U) REPORT CLASSIFIED DRV FROM; OHS SCG, OCTOBER 1997 (1 END OF MESSAGE
DOCUMENT ID: 190350774 REDACTED ENTIRE PAGE
TEXT COUNTRY: (U) BOLIVIA (BL). REDACTED 4 LINJES
SUBJ: IIR REDACTED WORD(S) BOLIVIA ARMY INVESTIAGTION INTO THE 200112C6 SHOOTING_RELATED DEATH OF A COCA GROWER IN THE CHAPARE GROWING REGION (U)WARNING: (U) THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE. REPORT CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DOI: (U) 20020227. REQS: (U) REDACTED 2 LINESSOURCE: (U) REDACTED WORD(S)SUMMARY: (U) RESULTS OF BOLIVIAN ARMY INVESTIGATION INTO 20011206 SHOOTING_RELATED DEATH OF A COCA GROWER IN THE CHAPARE REGION. CASIMIRO ((HUANCA)) DIED OF A GUNSHOT WOUND FOLLOWING AN ALTERCATION WITH MILITARY PERSONNEL. THE OFFICER_IN_CHARGE WAS GIVEN HOUSE ARREST. ENCLOSURE. TEXT: 1. (C) THE RESULTS OF BOLIVIAN ARMY INVESTIGATION INTO 20011206 SHOOTING_RELATED DEATH OF A COCA GROWER IN THE CHAPARE COCA GROWING REGION. CASIMIRO ((HUANCA)) DIED OF BLOOD LOSS FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND TO HIS LEFT LEG, RECEIVED DURING AN ALTERCATION WITH MILITARY PERSONNEL. TWO ARMY PERSONNEL WERE INVESTIGATED: LIEUTENANT HERIBERTO ((RAMOS)) SALAZAR, THE OFFICER_IN_CHARGE; AND JOSE ELADIO ((BORA)) CLAURE, A VOLUNTEER SOLDIER. REDACTED 4 LINES
2. (C) THE FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION WERE DATED 20011213 AND WERE CONFIRMED BY THE LEGAL ADVISOR OF THE ARMY’S COMMANDING GENERAL ON 20011218. THE ONLY PUNITIVE ACTION RESULTING FROM THIS INCIDENT WAS LT RAMOS BEING ORDERED TO SERVE 72 HOURS OF CONFINEMENT TO BASE, FOR FAILING TO CONTROL TROOPS UNDER HIS COMMAND. BORA, WHOSE WEAPON CAUSED THE GUNSHOT INJURY WHICH LEAD TO HUANCA’S DEATH, WAS FOUND TO HAVE ACTED IN SELF DEFENSE; HE WAS NOT PUNISHED. REDACTED WORD(S) WAS LATER TOLD BY A REDACTED WORD(S) THAT RAMOS’CONFINEMENT WAS REDUCED TO 48 HOURS.COMMENTS: 1. (U) REDACTED 5 LINES DESPITE COMMENTS FROM SENIORBOLIVIAN MILITARY COMMANDERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS TO THE CONTRARY, THE VIDEO OF THIS INCIDENT CONTAINS NO CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE AS TO EXACTLY WHAT OCCURRED IN THE SHOOTING INCIDENT. THE VIDEO SHOWS A SOLDIER WALKING DAZED, WITH A POSSIBLE HEAD WOUND, RETURNING FROM THE AREA WHERE THE SHOTS WERE HEARD. THE VIDEO SHOWS THE TWO WOUNDED COCALEROS AND THE TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL, IN THE BACK Of A NON_MILITARY TRUCK, WHERE HUANCA IS SITTING UPRIGHT WITH NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE WOUND. HUANCA LATER DIED AT THE CHIMORE CLINIC. REDACTED WORD(S) COUNTRY: (U) BOLIVIA (BL) REDACTED 5 LINES SUB: IIR REDACTED WORD(S) BOLIVIAN ARMY INVESTIGATION INTO THE 20011206 SHOOTING_RELATED DEATH OF A COCA GROWER INTHE CHAPARE GROWING REGION (U) 3. (C) ABSENT CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE FROM THE VIDEO, THE INCIDENT COMES DOWN TO THE COCALEROS’ WORD VERSUS THE MILITARY’S WORD. THERE DO NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY INDEPENDENT WITNESSES TO THE SHOOTINGS. THEREFORE, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT THE MILITARY DETERMINED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS AN ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING. ADM1N WARNING: REPORT CLASSIFIED OHS SCG, OCTOBER 1997 (1 END Of MESSAGE
DOCUMENT ID: P189577792 DOCNO: REDACTED WORD(S)PRODUCER: JCS SOURCE: DODIR DOCTYPE: REDACTED WORD(S)DOCPREC: R ORIGDATE: 200112131837 DOR: 20011213 TOR: 140926 MHFNO: 01 8002414 DOCCLASS: HEADER RH RUEAIIA DE RHEFBIM #4780 3471838 ZNY CCCCC R 131837Z DEC 01 FM DIA REDACTED WORD(S)REDACTED PAGE
TEXT COUNTRY: (U) BOLVIA (f~L) Lo~1h1I ~: ~
SUBJ: IIR MILITARY RESPONSE TO 20011206 SHOOTING DEATH OF MILITANT COCALERO LEADER IN THE CHAPARE COCA GROWING REGION. (U) WARNING: (U) THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE. REPORT CLASSIFIED
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SUMMARY: (U) BOLIVIAN MILITARY REACTS TO THE SHOOTING DEATH OF MILITANT COCALERO LEADER, CASIMIRO ((HUANCA)), IN THE CHAPARE ON 20011206. REDACTED WORD(S) ON 20011206, BOLIVIAN MILITARY PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO THE CHAPARE WERE INVOILVED IN A CONFRONTATION WITH COCALEROS THAT LEFT ONE (1) COCALERO DEAD AND ANOTHER WOUNDED.) REDACTED NAME EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION WITH THE CHAPARE SITUATION AND INDICATED THAT REDACTED NAME WISHED THE REGION FULLY MILITARIZED AND PLACED UNDER MARTIAL LAW.REDACTED NAME BELIEVES THE ONLY WAY TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION IN THE CHAPARE IS TO ASSIGN THE ERADICATION MISSION AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR LAW AND ORDER EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BOLIVIAN ARMED FORCES.REDACTED NAME INDICATED THAT THE BOLIVIAN NATIONAL POLICE ARE INCAPABLE OF COMPLETING ANY MISSION WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THEBOLIVIAN ARMED FORCES. REDACTED NAME ALSO INDICATED THAT WHENEVER THE POLICE ARE USED THEY GENERALLY CREATE MORE PROBLEMS THANTHEY SOLVE. REDACTED NAME(S) COMMENTS REFLECT STATEMENTS OFTEN EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF THE BOLIVIAN MILITARY, INDICATING THAT THE HISTORIC DISTRUST AND ANIMOSITY TOWARDS THE NATIONAL POLICE EXTENDS TO THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE BOLIVIAN MILITARY.)2. (C) IN A 20011211 MEETING WITH REDACTED WORD(S) WAS PRESENTEDWITH THE BOLIVIAN MILITARY S VERSION OF THE EVENTS OF 20011206. REDACTED NAME(S) VERSION OF THE. CHAPARE INCIDENT IS BASED UPON A BRIEFING GIVEN TO THE BOLIVIAN SENIOR MILITARY LEADERSHIP SHORTKY AFTER THE SHOOTING OCCURRED. THE MILITARY’S VERSION DESCRIBED BELOW DIFFERS IN SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT AREAS FROM RECENT BOLIVIAN PRESS REPORTS OF THE INCIDENT.) ACCORDING TO REDACTED NAME A MILITARY PATROL HAPPENED UPON A COCALERO ROADBLOCK CONSTRUCTED OF CARTONS OF PRODUCE. THE MILITARY PATROL ORDERED THE COCALEROS TO CLEAR THE ROADBLOCK AND LOAD THE PRODUCE ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE COCALEROS BEGAN TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER ANOTHER INTOXICATED AND AGGRESSIVE COCALERO GROUP SURROUNDED THE PATROL AND STOPPED THE FIRST GROUPFROM COMPLYING WITH THE PATROL S ORDERS. AFTER SEVERAL VERBAL EXCHANGES THE SECOND GROUP BEGAN MORE AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS TO INCLUDE THROWING ROCKS AT THE MILITARY PATROL. ONE OF THESE ROCKS HIT A SOLDIER ON THE SIDE OF HIS FACE CAUSING A VASCULAR TRAUMA. AS THE WOUNDED SOLDIER FELL, HE REDACTED WORD(S)POINTED OUT THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS INJURY TO A NEAR BY COMPANION. THE UNINJURED SOLDIER DECIDED AT THIS POINT TO APPREHEND THE PERPETRATOR, BUT AS HE APPROACHED THE COCALERO, THE COCALERO TURNED AND RAN FROM THE SCENE. THE UNINJURED SOLDIER DECIDED TO GIVE CHASE. THE SOLDIER CHASING THE COCALERO WAS ARMED WITH A RIFLE, BUT HE HAD SLUNG IT BEHIND HIS BACK TO LEAVE HIS ARMS FREE. THE PERPETRATOR RAN INTO A NEARBY DWELLING AND WHEN THE SOLDIER ENTERED HE WAS CONFRONTED BY TWO (2) ADDITIONAL INTOXICATED COCALEROS. A STRUGGLE BEGAN DURING WHICH THE COCALEROS TRIED TO WREST THE RIFLE AWAY FROM THE SOLDIER. THE WEAPON EVENTUALLY ENDED UP BETWEEN THE SOLDIER AND THE COCALEROS BEFORE IT DISCHARGED AND INJURED ONE (1) COCALERO IN THE ANKLE AND ANOTHER IN THE GROIN. THE GROIN INJURY APPARENTLY SEVERED AN ARTERY AND PROVED FATAL. REDACTED NAME INDICATED THAT AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER HAPPENED TO BE NEARBY AND MANAGED TO RECORD MUCH OF THE CONFRONTATION ONVIDEOTAPE. ACCORDING TO REDACTED NAME THE VIDEOTAPE WILL PROVE THE MILITARY VERSION OF THE INCIDENT AND SHOW CONCLUSIVELY THAT THE SHOOTING WAS NOT A DELIBERATE ACT BY THE SOLDIER.COMMENTS: REDACTED LINES2. (C) UNFORTUNATELY, THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER ERADICATION EFFORTS HAD RESUMED IN THE CHAPARE FOLLOWING A WEEK_LONG SUSPENSION FORCED ON GOVERNMENT ERADICATION FORCES. REDACTED WORD(S) |