Rebels from Colombian guerrilla groups the FARC and ELN “enjoy periods of rest and recuperation” in Cuba, according to a diplomatic cable sent by the United States Interest Section in Havana published Tuesday by WikiLeaks.
According to cable 194480, dated February 27, 2009, diplomats from the U.S. Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy say they “have reliable reporting indicating the presence of ELN, FARC and ETA members here in Havana. That said, they are unlikely to conduct terrorist operations in Cuba.”
The Cuban government (GOC) “allows these groups to enjoy R&R [rest and recuperation] in Cuba and receive medical care and other services (NFI). Reporting also indicates that the GOC is able to influence the FARC. The Cuban Communist Party International Department (PCC/ID) has close relationships with the Clandestine Communist Party of Colombia (PCC) which serves as the political wing of the FARC, and to some extent the ELN as well,” the leaked cable says.
The cable is one of over 250,000 diplomatic communiques sent between Washington and diplomats around the world. Of these cables, 2,416 were sent to or from Bogota. None of the Bogota cables were released by Wednesday morning.
