THREAT ASSESSMENT FOR LATIN AMERICAN TRIP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90T00114R000600050001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 28, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 5, 1987
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/28: CIA-RDP90TO0114R000600050001-7
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/28: CIA-RDP90TO0114R000600050001-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/28: CIA-RDP90TO0114R000600050001-7
~_j t
5 January 1987
TO: Ambassador L Paul Bremer
Ambassador-at-Large for Counterterrorism
Department of State
SUBJECT:. Threat Assessment for Latin American Trip
DATE /, If 7 f1ti
DOC NO G.L /-1 97"d3 0 o O3
OIR 3
P & PD I
1. Terrorist attacks and Latin America's penchant for street crime and drug-related
violence make the region one of the most dangerous for foreign travelers.
o In 1986, Latin America replaced Europe as the second most popular venue for
terrorist attacks. Only in the Middle East did more terrorist attacks occur.
o Nearly half of all international terrorist incidents involving US citizens or
property occurred in Latin America. US interests were favorite targets in
Colombia, Peru and Chile.
o Over half of the incidents recorded for Latin America occurred in Colombia,
Peru and -Chile.
2. Peru. International terrorist incidents increased nearly four-fold from 1985
through 1986, to a six year high of 57 Incidents. The majority of Incidents were directed
at US targets, especially US subsidiaries or foreign-owned businesses affiliated with US
companies. Sendero Luminoso (SL), a predominantly rural, Maoist guerrilla group, and the
Revolutionary Movement Tupac Amaru (MRTA) are responsible for most of these attacks.
Recent reporting indicates that one of the groups, probably the SL, may have targeted
several US Embassy employees for assassination. The MRTA, however, may pose a
greater treat to US interests. Although smaller than the SL it is moreprone to anti-US
violence. In late December, elements of the MRTA staged nearly simultaneous, low-level
attacks on approximately six US-related businesses.
3. Colombia. In 1986, the number of international terrorist incidents in Colombia
was the highest recorded in the 'past six years. Colombia's principal guerrilla groups are
behind most of the attacks.
The 19th of April Movement (M-19), long regarded as the premier urban
international terrorist organization in Colombia, is engaging the Colombian
insurgent strategy.
military in rural areas and appears to be placing less emphasis on its
traditional role as an International terrorist organization in favor of a rural
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/28: CIA-RDP90TO0114R000600050001-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/28: CIA-RDP90TO0114R000600050001-7
o The National Liberation Army (ELN) through the National Revolutionary
Coordinator (CNG) -- a coalition of Colombian subversive organizations -- Is
mounting a serious challenge to the M-19's leadership of the member
guerrilla groups. Lately, it has increased its attacks on the Colombian
economic infrastructure, especially on petroleum-related, facilities. The ELN
has targeted US interests in the past and shows no signs of discontinuing its
anti-US activity.
4. Ecuador. No international terrorist incidents were recorded in Ecuador in 1986
-- for the first time in the past six years. Since September 1985, the government's
security services have killed at least four key leaders of Ecuador's only significant terrorist
group, Alfaro Vive, Carajo (AVC). remnants of the group
currently lack a unified military strategy and the press reports that some elements of the
group have called upon politicians and the Catholic Church to assist them in negotiations
for peace. We have no Information on potential anti-US threats and believe that the
Increasing professionalism of the security forc ost AVC attempts to
reorganize for a renewal of terrorist activities.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/28: CIA-RDP90TO0114R000600050001-7