600 Colombian officials in jail over ties to ‘Urabeños’
600 Colombian officials in jail over ties to ‘Urabeños’
Posted by Emma Rosser on Aug 10, 2015
Some 600 public Colombian officials are in jail over ties to the country’s most powerful neo-paramilitary group, the Urabeños, authorities revealed. Authorities arrested 44 public officials last week, highlighting the corruption within Colombia’s political and security forces that are supposed to be combating Colombia’s largest drug trafficking organization.
Colombia’s judicial police DIJIN revealed that the 600 captured over the last 18 months are accused of providing arms and intelligence. Corrupt officials would also warn the gang of pending police operations and support extortion and drug trafficking activities, in exchange for bribes or monthly payments.
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The Urabeños are Colombia’s largest and most powerful drug trafficking neo-paramilitary group, formed during the demobilization of the parent AUC paramilitary group between 2003 and 2006.
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Due to roots in the paramilitary AUC, the previously operated in conjunction with the Colombian military, the group has retained a level of elusiveness, coercing officials into cooperation and prevent locals from cooperating with the authorities.
More:
http://colombiareports.com/600-colombian-officials-in-jail-over-ties-to-urabenos/