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Colombia's army chief retires amid corruption scandals and escalation of violence
Celebrations held without 180 soldiers who were killed after general assumed command
by Adriaan Alsema July 20, 2022
Colombia’s national army commander celebrates his retirement on Wednesday amid an escalation of violence and corruption scandals.
At least 10 generals and dozens of other commanders were either arrested or sacked because of their alleged involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, arms trafficking, embezzlement, and illegal spying on journalists and the Supreme Court since President Ivan Duque took office in 2018.
At least 321 members of the security forces were killed after General Eduardo Zapateiro assumed control over the security forces in early 2020 and violence throughout Colombia deteriorated.
The scandals began in June 2019 when Colonel Elkin Argota was accidentally caught driving the fugitive drug lord from his hide-out in Bogota military barracks to the southern Putumayo province.
More:
https://colombiareports.com/colombias-army-commander-retires-amid-corruption-scandals-and-escalation-of-violence/