Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–11, Part 2, Documents on South America, 1973–1976

265. Telegram 9572 From the Embassy in Colombia to the Department of State¹

Bogota, October 26, 1974, 1456Z.

9572. For the Secretary From the Ambassador. Subject: Presidential Directive on Narcotics Control Activities. Ref: State 233134.

1. I place the highest priority on the narcotics interdiction program in Colombia. I have personally spoken with President Lopez as well as with key Colombian officials to impress upon them the need for action and our willingness to cooperate. President Lopez has assured me that he understands the seriousness of the Colombian narcotics situation. I am very encouraged by President Lopez’ appointment of Gen. Matallana as the new Director of the Security Police (DAS) with a mandate to take charge of and make effective an expanded narcotics interdiction program. The mission activities in the drug program are under the daily review of the DCM. Our mission narcotics plan has the necessary flexibility to reassign priorities to achieve our goals. To the extent possible this action plan is developed in collaboration with the concerned GOC law enforcement bodies.

2. Over the past two years Colombia has made progress in its drug enforcement efforts and it is expected that the activities undertaken by the Lopez Administration will result in additional improvements. Members of the mission team remain in close daily contact with GOC officials involved in enforcement, education and rehabilitation in order to encourage and assist the GOC in all areas of the drug program.

3. The GOC is cooperating and dedicating its available resources to the war on illicit drugs. However, I am by no means satisfied with the progress to date in stemming the flow of illicit drugs from Colombia to the US and foresee the need for continued US assistance and encouragement for some time to come.

Vaky

1. Summary: Vaky informed the Department that key Colombian officials understood the seriousness of the narcotics problem, and that over the past two years Colombia had made progress in its drug enforcement efforts. However, Vaky was not satisfied with the progress to date, and he predicted that there would be a need for continued U.S. assistance and encouragement for the foreseeable future.

   Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D740306–0958. Confidential. In telegram 233134 to all diplomatic posts, October 23, the Department requested that Embassies report on narcotics control activities in their countries. (Ibid.)