Colombian left aims to capitalize on "para" scandal

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Colombian left aims to capitalize on "para" scandal
12 Apr 2007 19:34:15 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Hugh Bronstein

BOGOTA, April 12 (Reuters) - Colombia's left-wing opposition is trying to capitalize on a scandal tying allies of conservative President Alvaro Uribe to right-wing paramilitaries, a gambit filled with risks for both sides.

Sen. Gustavo Petro, a one-time member of the disbanded M19 rebel group, says he will reveal the names of Uribe supporters who helped the "paras" fight Marxist guerrillas, often using brutality to terrorize civilians.

Eight of Uribe's congressional allies are already in jail on charges of collusion with paramilitaries guilty of some of the worst massacres of Colombia's four-decade-old rebel war.

Opening a campaign ahead of October provincial elections, Petro is using the issue to establish his Polo Democratico as the "anti-Mafia party" in a country where paramilitary drug smugglers have infiltrated all levels of society.
(snip)

But human rights groups say paramilitary chiefs have kept control of their criminal networks from behind bars. The government admits that thousands of former militia fighters have regrouped into new crime gangs.

Read more: http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N12218144.htm

[Judi Lynn]

1. Colombia examines La Union massacre

Colombia examines La Union massacre


Murders put aid from U.S. in jeopardy

By Gary Marx
Chicago Tribune
Posted April 12 2007

LA UNION, Colombia · Two years ago, 17-year-old Bellanira Areiza and seven other peasants were hacked to death with machetes in the lush hills outside this picturesque hamlet in northwestern Colombia.

Community leaders say five residents saw men in Colombian army uniforms take away the victims, and nine others later heard soldiers bragging about the killings. But, until now, the Colombian government's investigation into the massacre has gone nowhere.

Atty. Gen. Mario Iguaran announced in late February that 69 members of the army's 17th Brigade were being called in for questioning about the killings, which continue to spark international outrage and could jeopardize U.S. aid to Colombia.

Some observers praised the announcement as a tentative step toward ending the near impunity enjoyed by Colombian security forces that have committed murders and other crimes during this nation's decades-long civil conflict.

More:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/caribbean/sfl-hcolomkillingsapr12,0,7309470.story?coll=sfla-news-caribbean

[Judi Lynn]

2. Unionists' murders cloud Colombia

Unionists' murders cloud Colombia

2007/4/12
SANTA MARTA, Colombia, The Washington Post



Zully Codina, shown with her husband and son, was on an intelligence service list of union members given to paramilitary hit men. She was then killed in front of her home in 2003. (Family Photo)

Zully Codina was a mother, veteran hospital worker and union activist. The last role was the one that cost Codina her life at the hands of paramilitary death squads, whose records show they collaborated with the country's intelligence service to liquidate her and other union activists.

Codina was killed on Nov. 11, 2003, when a gunman pumped three bullets into her head moments after she kissed her family goodbye and walked out of her Santa Marta home.

Her murder remains unsolved, as do those of the vast majority of the 400 union members killed since President Alvaro Uribe took office in 2002.

"For me, her death has been irreparable," said Rafael Sanchez, Codina's husband.

More:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/international/2007412/106936.htm