Colombian paramilitaries rearming after peace deal [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Colombian paramilitaries rearming after peace deal
10 Feb 2007 18:39:29 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Hugh Bronstein

BOGOTA, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Former right-wing Colombian warlords say junior members of their ranks are re-arming to take over the criminal networks they left behind, a trend that would put the country's paramilitary peace process at risk.

Pedro "The Knife" Guerrero, former paramilitary chief of the southern jungle province of Guaviare, said in a letter published by local media on Saturday that he fears this new generation of militia will assassinate him if he turns himself over to authorities as part of a deal promising reduced jail time.

"I am hiding in order to preserve my life," says the letter to the government from Guerrero, who authorities say earned his alias by using a knife to kill and mutilate peasants suspected of supporting left-wing rebels.

The letter followed a statement last week from former paramilitary boss Salvatore Mancuso saying that 5,000 former militia fighters have taken up arms again, backed by politicians and drug smugglers in what promises to be a "disastrous" turf war over cocaine-producing land.
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