Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 15908 / 251,287

### Articles

Brazil Sri Lanka United Kingdom Sweden 00. Editorial United States Latin America Egypt Jordan Yemen

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05 2011/06
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11 2011/05/12 2011/05/13 2011/05/14 2011/05/15 2011/05/16 2011/05/17 2011/05/18 2011/05/19 2011/05/20 2011/05/21 2011/05/22 2011/05/23 2011/05/24 2011/05/25 2011/05/26 2011/05/27 2011/05/28 2011/05/29 2011/05/30 2011/05/31
2011/06/01 2011/06/02 2011/06/03 2011/06/04 2011/06/05 2011/06/06 2011/06/07 2011/06/08 2011/06/09 2011/06/10 2011/06/11 2011/06/12 2011/06/13 2011/06/14 2011/06/15 2011/06/16 2011/06/17 2011/06/18 2011/06/19 2011/06/20 2011/06/21 2011/06/22 2011/06/23 2011/06/24 2011/06/25 2011/06/26 2011/06/27 2011/06/28 2011/06/29

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/05 1985/06
1986/05 1986/08 1986/12
1987/06
1988/01 1988/03 1988/04 1988/07 1988/08 1988/12
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05 1991/07 1991/11
1992/01 1992/03 1992/06 1992/09 1992/12
1993/01 1993/10
1994/11 1994/12
1995/01 1995/04
1996/07 1996/09 1996/11
1997/02 1997/05 1997/06 1997/10 1997/12
1998/05
1999/09
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/04 2001/05 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11 2001/12
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11 2002/12
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Belfast Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chiang Mai Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guangzhou Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Hong Kong Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Mission Geneva Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne Consulate Matamoros
Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Nuevo Laredo Consulate Naples Consulate Naha
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sapporo Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE UN Rome Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vientiane Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ASEC AEMR AMGT AR APECO AU AORC AJ AF AFIN AS AM ABLD AFFAIRS AMB APER AA AG AE ADM ALOW ACOA AID ATRN ADCO AND ABUD ADANA APEC ARABL ADPM ANARCHISTS AL AADP ANET AGRICULTURE AMED AROC AGAO AY AORG ASEAN AO ACABQ AINF ARF APCS AODE AX AMEX AZ ASUP ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ACBAQ AFSI AFSN AC AOPR AREP ASIG ASEX AER AVERY ASCH AFU AMG ATPDEA ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AORL AN AIT AGMT ACS AGR AMCHAMS AECL AUC AFGHANISTAN ACAO
BR BB BG BEXP BY BA BRUSSELS BU BD BK BL BM BO BE BH BTIO BX BMGT BILAT BP BC BIDEN BBG BF BBSR BT BWC BEXPC BN BTIU
CPAS CA CASC CS CBW CIDA CO CODEL CI CROS CU CH CWC CMGT CVIS CDG CG CF CHIEF CJAN CBSA CE CY CD CT CW CM CONS CDC CR CN COUNTRY CONDOLEEZZA CZ CAPC CICTE CYPRUS CARICOM CTR CBE COM CACS COE CARSON COUNTER CFED CIVS COPUOS CV CKGR CHR CVR CLINTON COUNTERTERRORISM CITEL CLEARANCE CB CSW CIC CITT CARIB CAFTA CACM CDB CJUS CTM CAN CONSULAR CLMT CBC CIA CNARC CIS CEUDA CHINA CAC CL
DR DJ DHS DAO DCM DO DEFENSE DA DE DOMESTIC DISENGAGEMENT DK DOD DOT DPRK DEPT DEA DOE DTRA DS DEAX
ECON ETTC EFIS ETRD EC EMIN EAGR EAID EU EFIN EUN ECIN EG EWWT EINV ENRG ELAB EPET EN EAIR EUMEM ECPS ELTN EIND EZ EI ER ET EINT ECONOMIC ENIV EFTA ES ECONOMY ENGR ELECTIONS ERNG ECIP EXIM ENERG EREL EK EDEV ETRAD ECOSOC EPA ETRC EINVEFIN ENVI EXTERNAL ELN ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EAIDS ECA EUREM EFINECONCS EPREL EDU ETC ENVR EAP EINN EXBS ENGY ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD ECONEFIN EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EFIM EINVETC ECONCS ETRA ESA EAIG EUR EUC ERD ETRN EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ESENV ENNP ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN
FR FI FAS FOREIGN FTAA FREEDOM FBI FINANCE FAO FAA FJ FTA FARC FAC FM FDA FINR FOR FOI FO FMLN FISO
GM GG GERARD GT GA GR GTIP GY GLOBAL GCC GC GAZA GL GOV GOI GF GH GV GANGS GTMO GE GAERC GZ GUILLERMO GASPAR
HR HO HA HYMPSK HK HUMAN HN HU HURI HILLARY HI HUM HSTC HEBRON HUMOR
IZ IN IAEA IS IMO ILO IR IC IT ITU IV IMF IBRD IWC IRAQI IDB ISRAELI ITALY IADB ITPGOV ITALIAN ID ICRC INR ICAO IFAD IPR IQ IRAQ INMARSAT ICTY ITRA INRA INTERNAL ILC IO IIP ICJ INDO IRS IEFIN ISCON IA INTERPOL IEA INRB IAHRC ISRAEL IZPREL IRAJ IF ITPHUM IL IACI IDA ISLAMISTS IGAD ITF INRO IBET INTELSAT IDP ICTR IRC
JA JO JM JP JUS JOHN JAMES JOHNNIE JOSEPH JML JIMENEZ
KOMC KNNP KFLO KDEM KSUM KIPR KFLU KPAO KE KCRM KJUS KAWC KZ KSCA KDRG KCOR KGHG KPAL KTIP KMCA KCRS KPKO KOLY KRVC KVPR KG KWBG KMDR KTER KSPR KV KTFN KWMN KFRD KSTH KS KN KISL KGIC KSEP KFIN KTEX KTIA KUNR KCMR KMOC KCIP KTDB KBIO KU KIRF KSAF KSTC KICC KIRC KIDE KNUC KNUP KSEO KCFE KPWR KBCT KR KREC KCSY KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KHLS KOCI KREL KMPI KPRP KAUST KPAOPREL KVIR KFSC KX KPRV KCRIM KMCC KCRCM KPAONZ KNAR KHDP KENV KHIV KTRD KTAO KWAC KJUST KTBT KGIT KHSA KO KMRS KSCI KPOA KNPP KACT KVRP KBTS KAWK KNNPMNUC KERG KPIR KMFO KCOM KAID KTLA KNDP KRCM KCFC KNEI KCHG KPLS KFTFN KTFM KLIG KDEMAF KRAD KBTR KGCC KICA KHUM KSEC KPIN KESS KDEV KWWMN KOM KWNM KRFD KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KRGY KIFR KSAC KWMNCS KPAK KOMS KFPC KRIM KDDG KCGC KPAI KID KMIG KNSD KWMM
LY LE LABOR LO LH LAB LTTE LU LA LI LG LT LOG
MARR MX MASS MOPS MNUC MCAP MTCRE MRCRE MTRE MASC MY MK MAS MO MCC MCA MU ML MIL MTCR MAR MEPP MG MZ MD MP MAPP MR MA MOPPS MTS MLS MILI MEPN MEPI MEETINGS MERCOSUR MW MT MIK MN MAPS MV MILITARY MARAD MDC MACEDONIA MASSMNUC MUCN MEDIA MI MQADHAFI MPOS MPS MC
NZ NATO NI NO NU NG NL NPT NS NA NP NATIONAL NC NSF NDP NIPP NSSP NR NGO NATOIRAQ NE NAS NZUS NH NSG NAFTA NEW NRR NT NASA NAR NK NOVO NATOPREL NEA NSC NV NPA NSFO NW NORAD NPG
OTRA OECD OVIP OREP OPRC ODC OIIP OPDC OAS OSCE OPIC OMS OEXC OPCW OSCI OPAD ODIP OPEC OFDP OVIPPRELUNGANU OIE ODPC OFFICIALS OSHA OHUM OTR OMIG OSAC OBSP OFDA OVP ON OCII OES OCS OIC
PGOV PREL PARM PINR PHUM PM PREF PTER PK PINS PBIO PHSA PE PBTS PL POL PAK POV POLITICS POLICY PERL PA PCI PNAT PAS PALESTINIAN PPA PROP PERM PETR PREZ PO PRELPK PAIGH PROG POLITICAL PJUS PDOV PAO PBTSRU PGOR PMIL PARMS PINO PRAM PSI PG PREO PGOF PTERE PTE PRGOV PORG PP PS PKFK PSOE PEPR PDEM PINT PMAR PRELP PREFA PNG PTBS PFOR PUNE PGOVLO PHUMBA POLINT PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PY PLN PHUH PEDRO PF PHUS PETER PU PARTIES PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PHUMPREL POGOV PEL PINL PBT PINF PRL PSEPC POSTS PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOC PNR PROV
QA
RS RP RU RW RFE RCMP RIGHTSPOLMIL ROBERT RM RICE ROOD RO RELAM REGION RSP RF RELATIONS RIGHTS RUPREL REMON RPEL REACTION REPORT RSO
SZ SENV SOCI SNAR SY SO SP SU SI SMIG SYR SA SCUL SW SR SYRIA SNARM SPECIALIST SENS SEN SN SC SF SMIL SARS SCRM SENVSXE SL SAARC STEINBERG SWE SCRS SG SNARIZ SAN ST SIPDIS SSA SPCVIS SOFA SENVKGHG SANC SHI SEVN SHUM SK SH SNARCS SPCE SNARN SIPRS
TRGY TBIO TSPA TU TPHY TI TX TH TIP TSPL TNGD TS TW TRSY TP TZ TN TC TR TINT TF TK TRAD TT TD TWI TL TV TERRORISM TO TURKEY TSPAM TRT TFIN TAGS TBID THPY
UK UNSC UNGA UN US UZ USEU UG UP UNAUS UNMIK USTR UR UY UNHRC USPS UNSCR UNESCO UNFICYP USAID UV USOAS UNMIC UNEP UNCHR USUN UNDP USGS UNHCR UA USNC UE UNVIE UAE UNO UNODC UNCHS UNDESCO UNC UNPUOS UNDC UNICEF UNCHC UNCSD UNFCYP UNIDROIT UNCND
VE VM VT VZ VEPREL VTEG VTIZ VISIT VTPREL VENZ VAT VC VI VN
WHTI WIPO WTRO WTO WFP WS WHO WA WI WZ WBG WMD WWARD WHA WITH WTRQ WEU WMO WB
XA XR XW XX XK XL XM XS XF XG XT XC XH XD XB XU XE XV XY XZ XQ XI XTAG
YI YM YE YL YMCS
ZU ZI ZP ZR ZOELLICK ZF ZK ZO ZL ZH ZT ZB ZJ ZEALAND ZN ZA ZANU

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 06PANAMA1455, PANAMA REELS FROM LOSS TO KEY ANTI-DRUG OFFICIALS

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06PANAMA1455.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06PANAMA1455 | 2006-07-25 20:24 | 2011-05-28 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Panama

`

    VZCZCXYZ0037
    OO RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHZP #1455/01 2062024
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    O 252024Z JUL 06
    FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8627
    INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
    RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA IMMEDIATE 2373
    RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
    RUEABND/DEA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
    RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
    RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
    RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASH DC IMMEDIATE
    RHMFISS/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
    RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
    RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 001455

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2016
    TAGS: PGOV SNAR KCRM PM
    SUBJECT: PANAMA REELS FROM LOSS TO KEY ANTI-DRUG OFFICIALS

    REF: PANAMA 1423

    Classified By: Ambassador William A. Eaton - Reasons 1.5 (b and d)

    ¶1.  (C) The sudden July 20 resignation of Panama's top
    anti-drug prosecutor, Patricio Candanedo, has dealt a harsh
    blow to a law enforcement community that was already reeling
    from the suspicious July 19 death of Franklin Brewster, the
    top counter-narcotics detective in the Judicial Technical
    Police ("PTJ," the GOP's FBI-like agency.)  A group that
    purports to be linked to the FARC has put forth
    unsubstantiated claims of responsibility for Brewster's death
    as part of a broader campaign of retaliation against GOP and
    U.S. officials.  Although President Torrijos said that he is
    "very concerned" about the state of Panama's
    counter-narcotics institutions, Attorney General Ana Matilde
    Gomez denied that these agencies are in crisis.  Clearly a
    setback for counter-narcotics efforts in Panama, this
    episode's full impact remains to be seen, but it cannot help
    but erode already weak public confidence in the GOP's law
    enforcement institutions.  End summary.

    Veteran Anti-Drug Prosecutor Quits
    ----------------------------------

    ¶2.  (C) Candanedo, a 27-year veteran prosecutor and close
    collaborator with U.S. law enforcement agencies, announced
    July 20 that he was quitting his post as the Public
    Ministry's (PM's) top counter-narcotics prosecutor.  He said
    that the GOP is poorly equipped to combat what he maintains
    is a rise in organized crime, drug trafficking, and gun
    running in Panama.  Candanedo led Panama's participation in
    the multilateral "Twin Oceans" operation that netted
    Colombian druglord Pablo Rayo Montano on May 16.  He said
    that, since Rayo Montano's arrest, he has seen a growing
    climate of "attacks" instigated by those with possible ties
    to Rayo Montano, including some powerful Panamanian
    government, business, and media figures.

    ¶3.  (C) Candanedo downplayed publicly the notion that AG
    Gomez had forced him out by punishing him over a series of
    supposed administrative lapses as payback for an old grudge.
    (Note: As a young PM official about a decade ago, Gomez was
    fired for allegedly disobeying an order involving the
    handling of an arrested drug suspect.  Since returning the
    head the PM as Torrijos' AG, she appeared to pursue a
    vendetta in forcing the departure of several officials that
    she believed played a role in her own ouster.  End note.)
    Privately, however, Candanedo made clear that he felt Gomez
    had trumped up administrative complaints against him over
    what he maintains were insignificant management failures
    (e.g., not signing routine documents within mandated
    periods).  She put him on a month of unpaid leave on June 17
    and, upon his return to work on July 17, she slapped him with
    more sanctions for alleged administrative "negligence."  With
    more such punishment apparently in the offing, Candanedo
    decided to quit.

    Shawdowy Group Claims Role in Detective's Death
    --------------------------------------------- --

    ¶4.  (SBU) As reported reftel, Brewster's July 19 death came
    sixteen days after his apparent poisoning.  As head of the
    PTJ's "Sensitive Investigations Unit" composed of USG-vetted
    officers, Brewster was a close USG collaborator and played a
    lead role for the GOP in the "Twin Oceans" operation.
    Although lab tests remain incomplete, Panama's medical
    examiner told the press July 20 that Brewster died from
    ingesting an insecticide-like substance.

    ¶5.  (C) On July 21, the PTJ and various news agencies
    received an anonymous fax claiming that Brewster was killed
    in retaliation for his part in "Operation Alamo," an element
    of the "Twin Oceans" operation.  The fax claimed that a
    heretofore unknown "Operacion Factura Roja" ("Operation Red
    Invoice") has a hit list of another eight drug enforcement
    officials.  This was followed by an anonymous July 23 email
    to several news agencies claiming that a campaign has been
    mounted to use phosphate or paraquat to "eliminate agents of
    the CIA-ATU" in Panama.  The note also claimed that the
    "Factura Roja" cell in Panama has obtained 50 kilograms of C4
    explosive and cellular detonators and that it has the
    "technical assistance" of FARC "specialists."

    ¶6.  (C) Although the July 21 and July 23 threats could be
    hoaxes, Post cannot completely dismiss their authenticity and
    we have heightened our security posture (septel).

    Comment: Temporary Setback or Big Blow to Our CN Efforts?
    --------------------------------------------- ------------

    ¶7.  (C) Given the pivotal role that both Brewster and
    Candanedo played in the Rayo Montano case, among others,
    their sudden loss is clearly a setback for U.S. drug
    enforcement efforts in Panama.  Although President Torrijos
    said that he was "very concerned" about these developments,
    AG Gomez denied that Panama's law enforcement agencies are in
    crisis.  Our immediate challenges are to: (1) assist the GOP
    in conducting a robust investigation into Brewster's death
    and, (2) focus the AG on shoring up the prosecutor's office
    and keeping it from going into a full tailspin.  While the
    full impact of these developments remains to be seen, the
    confluence of these events - together with the recent
    drug-related charges filed against the GOP's drug prosecutor
    in Colon, Aminta Corro - cannot help but erode already weak
    public confidence in the GOP's law enforcement institutions.
    Moreover, they raise the troubling specter that powerful
    interests possibly linked to the Rayo Montano case may have
    begun a campaign to intimid ate law enforcement officials in Panama.
    End comment.
    EATON

`