Colombia: Troubles Mount For Uribe At Home – Analysis
Colombia: Troubles Mount For Uribe At Home – Analysis
By: COHA
January 26, 2013
By Darya Vakulenko
Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe is being investigated by the country’s chief prosecutor’s office forhis connection to the hard line United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), aright-wing paramilitary group that for years had operated in Colombia. The AUC is on the U.S.terrorist organizations list and has been accused of drug-trafficking. The preliminary probe was made public by Uribe’s attorney on January 8, 2013. [1]
The probe comes nearly a month after the sentencing of the former Colombian army general Mauricio Santoyo for providing material support and resources to the AUC. While Santoyo was being held under custody by U.S. authorities, Uribe persistently deniedanyconnection to the general;this was despite theallegation that Uribe personally appointed Santoyo as his presidential security officer. The reported connection betweenthe two men may be used by the prosecutor’s office in the case against Uribe, as it implies a direct connection between Uribe, Santoyo and the AUC.
After Santoyo’s sentencing, COHA pointed out possible implications for Uribe, due to the information the former general likely divulged to U.S. authorities during his trial.This article analyses the political motivations in Colombia that surround the newest allegations against former President Uribe.
Preliminary probe
The preliminary probe is based on accusations made in 2011by the Colombian Congressman Ivan Cepeda, a member of the opposition left-wing party Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA). The politician accused Uribe of creating a far-right guerrilla group that allegedly utilized his ranch in the department of Antioquia as a base forits operations.[2] Additionally, the leftist Congressman claimedthat the guerrilla group was responsible for the killing of suspected rebel sympathizers.
More:
http://www.eurasiareview.com/26012013-colombia-troubles-mount-for-uribe-at-home-analysis/
