Another cute leak this morning:
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 000093 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/AND, INR E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2019 TAGS: PREL PINR BO BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL'S LULA OFFERS BOLIVIA'S MORALES TREATMENT FOR TUMOR Classified By: Ambassador Clifford M. Sobel, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ΒΆ1. (C) In a conversation with Ambassador Sobel following the January 15, 2009 La Paz meeting between Brazilian President Lula and Bolivian President Morales, Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim (protect) confirmed an earlier rumor that Morales is suffering from a serious sinus tumor. Jobim told the Ambassador that Lula had offered Morales an examination and treatment at a Sao Paulo hospital. Although there have been been public reports that Morales needs surgery for "acute sinusitis," and related otitis and headaches, according to Jobim his problems in fact are caused by a serious tumor and the surgery will be an effort to remove it. Treatment has been put off, however, until after the constitutional referendum scheduled for January 25. Jobim, who attended the meeting between Lula and Morales, commented that the tumor might explain why Morales has seemed unfocussed and not his usual self at this and other recent meetings. SOBEL
UPDATE: Bolivia is denying that Evo ever had a tumour. From this WaPo story:
“Morales’ spokesman Ivan Canelas denied there had ever been any tumor, saying Morales had surgery last year for a problem with his nasal septum that was causing him constant colds. In a radio interview, he said the leaked cable “had a big dose of speculation.””
WhaaAAAAAaaaaAAAAt? Y-y-y-y-y-y-you mean it’s remotely possible that the US Diplo corps in South America has been making shit up about Evo Morales? WHAT A SHOCKAH!