Deadly in-law of AUC founders captured in southwest Colombia

[Judi Lynn]

Deadly in-law of AUC founders captured in southwest Colombia
posted by Daniel Freeman
Oct 9, 2013

The half-sister-in-law of the founders of defunct paramilitary organization AUC was captured Tuesday for the murder of a land activist after a long police hunt that began in 2011.

Colombia’s police primarily sought Sor Teresa Gomez for the murder of a peasant leader prosecutors told the press. Gomez is expected to serve at least 40 years in prison for attempted murder, illicit enrichment, money laundering, conspiracy to commit a crime, and threats, in addition to the murder of displaced rights activist Yolanda Izquierdo, in 2007.

Gomez was captured in the Yumbo municipality in the southwestern Valle De Cauca state, and was found by prosecutors who specialize in combating criminal gangs with the help of the National Police Force.

There had been a $200 million reward for her head, and one informant gave police her exact location, which led to her capture.

The sister of Fidel, Carlos, and Vincente Castaño is know to be the world’s “darkest female” according to newspaper El Tiempo.

More:
http://colombiareports.co/deadly-half-sister-paramilitary-group-leaders-captured/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Colombia arrests sister-in-law of warlord Castano brothers as anti-land reform reactionary

Colombia arrests sister-in-law of warlord Castano brothers as anti-land reform reactionary
By Associated Press, Published: October 8

SAN CARLOS, Colombia — Colombian officials say they’ve captured a top member of an outlaw clan that founded the country’s far-right militias who has been sentenced in absentia to 40 years for the murder of a land activist.

President Juan Manuel Santos announced the arrest Tuesday of Sor Teresa Gomez, the spouse of a half-brother of paramilitary leaders Fidel, Vicente and Carlos Castano.

Gomez was convicted in 2011 of ordering the murder four years earlier of Yolanda Izquierdo, leader of a group of peasants in Cordoba state trying to reclaim land stolen by the Castanos.

Santos calls Gomez the ringleader of forces resisting the return of stolen lands in Cordoba.

Land restoration is a hallmark of the president’s attempt to make peace with Colombia’s main leftist rebel band. Land reform is its main demand.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/colombia-arrests-sister-in-law-of-warlord-castano-brothers-as-anti-land-reform-reactionary/2013/10/08/f250807c-3073-11e3-9ddd-bdd3022f66ee_story.html

(Short article, no more at link.)