In Colombia the mask has slipped
In Colombia the mask has slipped
Tuesday 12th Nov 2013
posted by Morning Star in Features
MARIELA KOHON says despite an international charm offensive the Manuel Santos regime is continuing to persecute peaceful protesters and violently repress trade unionists and activists
The progressive mask of Colombia's Juan Manuel Santos administration has been torn away by recent events.
On August 25 Huber Ballesteros, a renowned trade union leader, member of the Colombian TUC executive and a leading organiser of the Patriotic March opposition movement was arrested the day before he was due to pick up his visa to travel to address Britain's TUC conference as a guest of Justice for Colombia.
He joins some 7,000 political prisoners held in horrendous conditions in Colombian prisons, a living example of the way that the Colombian state represses critical views.
He has been accused of rebellion and terrorism. His only crime is to have organised Colombian workers. At the time of Huber's arrest he was one of the leaders of strikes which rocked the country throughout the summer.
More:
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-665d-In-Colombia-the-mask-has-slipped#.UoL26urnbJU
