VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMN #0449/01 2211028
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081028Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8383
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 2591
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ AUG 6281
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000449 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INL 
STATE ALSO FOR WHA/BSC KBEAMER 
LA PAZ, BUENOS AIRES FOR DEA 
BUENOS AIRES FOR DHS AND LEGAT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR PINR PREL UY
SUBJECT: URUGUAY,S ANTI-DRUG CHIEF RECOUNTS SUCCESSES, 
SEEKS FURTHER COOPERATION WITH USG 
 
¶1. (U) This telegram is sensitive but unclassified, and not 
for Internet distribution. 
 
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Summary 
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¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Baxter met August 6 with Deputy Chief of 
Staff of the Presidency and President of the 
Counter-narcotics commission Jorge Luis Vazquez to discuss 
options for advancing bilateral counter-narcotics 
cooperation.  Vazquez detailed GOU successes in the fight 
against illegal drugs, described ongoing steps to strengthen 
the GOU's anti-drug capabilities, and expressed interest in 
deepened cooperation.  Vazquez also confirmed his commitment 
to signing the outstanding letter of agreement in September, 
providing needed impetus to overcome the remaining issues in 
the next few weeks.  End Summary. 
 
------------------------------ 
Serious about the Drug Problem 
------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Baxter and DCM called on Uruguay's drug 
czar Jorge Vazquez to urge an expeditious signing of the 
pending bilateral Letter of Agreement (the "Assistance and 
Cooperation Agreement of 2008 for Narcotics Control and Abuse 
between the Government of the United States of America and 
the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay") and to 
discuss other possibilities for anti-drug cooperation. 
Vazquez responded positively regarding the LOA, saying "We 
will get it done, with or without the lawyers."  Poloffs are 
working closely with Vazquez's staff and will strive to clear 
the remaining bracketed text in the next several weeks. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Vazquez gave the ambassador an overview of the GOU's 
anti-drug successes and how it is working to strengthen its 
hand in the fight against drug trafficking.  Uruguay has put 
in place a new money laundering regime practically from 
scratch, and has been receiving good reviews from the 
Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering in South 
America (GAFISUD), according to Vazquez.  Vazquez touted the 
GOU's record of over thirty successful prosecutions for money 
laundering since 2005, when the current administration 
assumed power.  Prior to 2005, no one had been convicted for 
that crime. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Vazquez also emphasized his efforts to strengthen 
the ability of the courts to prosecute these crimes.  He said 
the GOU is developing two courts that are to be dedicated 
specifically to cases of organized crime, with trained 
personnel and simplified procedures.  Vazquez noted that 
several cases testing Uruguay's asset forfeiture regime, 
which mandates that all proceeds from seized assets be spent 
on anti-drug social programs and law enforcement, are in the 
home stretch of the legal process, and will likely result in 
the disbursement this year of around USD 5 million for 
counter-narcotics work. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Interdiction efforts by the police have already made 
a big dent in traffickers' pocketbooks, according to Vazquez, 
who said that one case initiated in Uruguay had resulted in 
an approximate USD 100 million loss for an (unnamed) 
international drug cartel.  Vazquez also said that the GOU 
plans to enhance port security via the purchase of two (2) 
container scanners in the coming year to augment the coverage 
provided by the one in place, and airport security via a 
process in development that will review one hundred percent 
of Montevideo's passengers, their baggage, and air cargo.  A 
new radar system will help the GOU detect small planes coming 
into Uruguayan airspace. 
 
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Vazquez's Approach 
------------------ 
 
¶7. (SBU) Vazquez attributed Uruguay's anti-drug gains to the 
pragmatism of the current administration, which acknowledged 
mutual suspicion between the incoming, leftist government in 
2005 and traditionally more conservative elements of law 
enforcement and the judiciary.  The government worked hard to 
build bonds of trust, and now counts the police as an ally. 
Comment: The Embassy's law enforcement community has had a 
 
particularly positive experience with Uruguay's dedicated 
anti-drug unit (Direccion General de Represion del Trafico 
Ilicito de Drogas) and its commander, Inspector Principal 
Julio Guarteche.  End Comment.  Vazquez added that another 
major factor in the GOU's success has been its understanding 
of the importance of developing social partnerships within 
the country and cooperative relationships with other 
countries, including the U.S.  Vazquez admitted that a number 
of GOU entities struggle with corruption problems (he 
mentioned the customs service and coast guard), but claimed 
attacking such corruption is a GOU priority. 
 
-------------------------------- 
Closer Cooperation with the U.S. 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) Ambassador Baxter noted Vazquez's understanding of 
the importance of international cooperation in fighting drug 
trafficking, and told Vazquez that the Embassy's law 
enforcement team is working to identify the best tools to 
assist Uruguay.  Vazquez said that he "completely agrees" 
with the need for expanded cooperation with the U.S., and 
asked for a follow-up meeting to discuss specific areas.  We 
will likely hold such a meeting in early September, when 
Vazquez returns from international travel. 
 
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Comment 
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¶9. (SBU) Vazquez is clearly proud of the gains that have 
occurred on his watch, especially those that he sees as 
strengthening institutional capacity and therefore 
potentially benefiting Uruguayan society for years to come 
(e.g., the courts dedicated to organized crime, his 
empowerment of Uruguay's counter-narcotics unit).  He appears 
to take his responsibilities seriously, and recognizes that 
Uruguay has serious vulnerabilities and that international 
cooperation is the answer. End Comment. 
 
Baxter