Uribe's sons respond to 'parapolitics' accusations

[Judi Lynn]

Uribe's sons respond to 'parapolitics' accusations
Wednesday, 13 April 2011 16:50
Jim Glade

Two sons of former President Alvaro Uribe responded to accusations Wednesday from demobilized paramilitary leader, "El Canoso," that they met with a former mayor accused of "parapolitics."

In a report from the Baranquilla newspaper, El Heraldo, ex-head of the Resistencia Tayrona Bloc of the AUC, Jose Gelvez Albarracin, alias "El Canoso," accused Tomas and Jeronimo Uribe of having business relations with Hector Ignacio Rodriguez, alias "Nacho," the former counselor of Guachaca, Magdalena, who allegedly received paramilitary help in his campaign.

The brothers responded Wednesday, saying, "We met Mr Hector Ignacio Rodriguez in 2004 through common friends from Santa Marta and through his participation in a company that fabricated crafts from coco with artisans from the Sierra Nevada, promoted in programs financed by the American government. Mr. Rodriguez, as well as his family, were preceded by an excellent reputation, that of which can be corroborated by distinguished persons in the samaria society, among them the mayor of the city."

"We never had indications of the link between Mr. Rodriguez and illicit activities or groups outside of the law. The meetings we had, including an afternoon walk in Parque Tayrona, in plain daylight, were surrounded by serious people like the mayor of the city of Santa Marta, who had plenty of confidence in Mr. Rodriguez and can give faith to the reputation that preceded him," noted the brothers.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/15581-uribes-sons-respond-to-parapolitics-accusations.html

[rabs]

1. Why was the U.S. government financing

Read this story earlier tonight in Spanish and wondered which U.S. agency (and why) was financing (by how much?) a program that produced handicrafts made from coconut shells.

The business was run by Rodriguez (Nacho), who was extradited to the United States on Feb. 14 on drug-trafficking charges. The U.S. Embassy did not know Nacho was up to his ears in drug-trafficking at the Tom and Jerry were meeting with him?

"Canoso" said Tom and Jerry had a "business relation" with Rodriguez, and "they even partied together."

Kinda doubtful that the "business relation" had to do with carved, coconut shells. More likely cocaine-related business, one would suspect.

--------------

Eventually some of the corruption charges against Tom and Jerry are going to stick.

(Oh, "Canoso" means a man whose hair has turned or is turning white.)

[Bacchus39]

2. sounds like a USAID funded project n/t

n