P 272305Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0026 C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAGUA 001097 SUBJECT: NICARAGUAN POLICE CHIEF SHARES

VIEWS ON POLICE ROLE REF: MANAGUA 893 Classified By: Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli. Reasons 1.4 (B,D). 1. (C) Summary: Police Chief Aminta Granera is committed to counternarcotics and enforcement efforts as well as ensuring public safety, although she has no faith in the Nicaraguan judicial system and receives little assistance from other government agencies. During meetings with Emboffs, Granera continued to voice her support for cooperative efforts with the United States, but serious coordination problems remain. In a recent meeting, Granera responded to Embassy concerns by agreeing to investigate allegations by Nicaraguan human rights leaders that they have been threatened due to their activities. Granera also commented on the role of the police and stated that she reports directly to President Daniel Ortega and the Ministry of Government exercises little to no oversight. End Summary.

----------------------------------------------Committed to Counternarcotics Efforts, but More Coordination Needed ----------------------------------------------2. (C) Police Chief Aminta Granera is committed to enforcement efforts and pointed out recent highprofile counternarcotics operations as a sign of police success. Granera has repeatedly stated her support for cooperation with the United States, however despite the recent apparent successes, some serious coordination problems continue. The recent "Mexican cartel" arrests were planned without coordination with DEA and resulted in the detention of low-level "laborers and enforcers" instead of key cartel members. The arrests of these individuals also preempted other regional operations and could jeopardize current investigations and future operations throughout Central America. The Nicaraguan National Police (NNP) has also failed recently to coordinate fully with the Nicaraguan Navy. The NNP arrested a number of suspects and seized 1,800 kilos from a fastboat off the Nicaraguan coast on April 24, but "neglected" to inform the Navy about the operation. The National Police seized another 700 kilos of cocaine on April 26. --------------------------------------------------Politically Motivated Threats, Slow Police Response --------------------------------------------------3. (C) During an April 23 meeting, Emboffs relayed their concerns to Granera about recent

threats against leading Nicaraguan human rights leaders. Members of the Nicaraguan Permanent Human Rights Commission (CPDH) NGO had reported to Emboffs that they had received threats (reftel) due to CPDH's championing of a case alleging human rights abuses committed against the Miskito population on the Atlantic Coast in the 1980s by President Ortega and other prominent Sandinistas. Executive director Marcos Carmona recently reported to Emboffs that the threats had escalated. Granera told emboffs that she was aware of the situation but that it was being handled by Juan Baez, Inspector General of the National Police. She promised to check on the status of the case. Emboffs also informed Granera about several Liberal Constitutional Party (PLC) mayors who have been threatened by members of their own party for "straying" from the party line and she responded that they should file formal complaints with the police. 4. (C) When Emboffs questioned Granera about the recent Cervantes secondary school takeover -- when 14 members of the Federation of Secondary Students (FES) wearing hoods and under the command of Cubanborn Sandinista radical Victor Cienfuegos, stormed the Miguel de Cervantes school, allegedly using homemade pistols and other weapons, and removed school director, Juan Narvaez (septel) -- she argued that the Police did the right thing by staying out of the situation. She added that during the incident they received telephonic reports from people on both sides of the confrontation and would have intervened if the situation had escalated. She added that the police have to be careful about any actions around

schools. ------------------------------Defining the Role of the Police ------------------------------5. (C) Granera emphasizes the independent role of the police. Though the NNP is technically under the Ministry of Government, Granera has told Emboffs on several occasions that she reports directly to Ortega. Granera shares Embassy concerns about corruption in the judicial system and considers it a major obstacle to the NNP's enforcement efforts. She also cited deteriorating relationships with other GON offices as an obstacle -- according to Granera cooperation from airport, immigration, and customs authorities has declined, particularly with regard to information sharing. 6. (C) Comment: Granera maintains that she wholeheartedly supports U.S.- funded initiatives with the NNP, and she was instrumental in setting up the vetted unit; however, we have some concerns. The lack of coordination with DEA remains a key issue, which Granera claims can be addressed by better defining the mechanisms for cooperation and the conduits for passing information. We plan to pursue this further with her and her team. It is also unclear how much autonomy Granera enjoys in running NNP operations. We have heard that Granera maintains a close relationship with first lady Rosario Murillo, but is trying to remain autonomous from Ortega, which may become increasingly difficult. Another concern is that Granera does

not possess operational expertise and relies heavily on the Sub-Directors below her, who do not necessarily share her same commitment to cooperative efforts with the United States. End Comment. TRIVELLI (Edited and reading.) reformatted by Andres for ease of