Cablegate: Defense Article Regulatons for Colombia

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS BOGOTA 009715

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD MARR PGOV CO
SUBJECT: DEFENSE ARTICLE REGULATONS FOR COLOMBIA

1. (U) Presidential Decree 2535 of 1993 governs Colombia's
weapons imports and manufacturing processes. Per the
regulations, Industrias Militares (Indumil) is the only
entity in Colombia with the ability to import or manufacture
weapons. Once the production or import is complete, weapons
become the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense, in the
Office of the Armed Forces General Command. That office
assumes control of the defense articles and may distribute
them to the different divisions as needed.

2. (U) According to the Decree, Indumil is not/not
responsible for tracking defense equipment once it leaves
their facilities. To that end, the Decree does not require
Indumil to keep paperwork on the end user status for imported
or manufactured items. Title five of the Decree states:

-- "Article 57 ) Import and export of arms, munitions, and
explosions. Only the National Government can import and
export arms, munitions, explosives, and its accessories, in
accordance with the regulations issued by the National
Government, for the direction of the National Government.

-- "The importation of explosives and primary materials
contemplated in paragraph 3 of article 51 of this Decree can
be requested privately for commercial use except in
circumstances of defense and national security. The
governmental entity charged with these operations cannot
derive any profit for this duty and can only charge to cover
administration and management costs."

3. (U) In addition, competent military authorities may sell
weapons or issue permits in 37 military bases across
Colombia. In Title IV, Chapter 1 it regulates the sale of
munitions:

-- "Article 48: "Military authorities mentioned by this
decree can sell munitions to those with necessary permission.
In the consideration of the competent authority, military
authorities may also grant weapon transport permission and
the weapon itself."
WOOD

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