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Colombian Politicians Involved
in Scandal
The Colombian Supreme Court and
the Attorney General´s Office
are investigating 12 congressmen
and other Colombian politicians
for possible ties with
paramilitary groups, called here
"The Parapolitical Scandal."
These are 32 politicians and
even journalists who signed the
so-called Ralito Agreement in
the Colombian department of
Cordoba on July 23, 2001, after
a meeting with leaders of the
AUC paramilitary group
(Colombian Self-defense Units).
This secret and confidential
pact, established when AUC was
still illegal, was between AUC
leaders and politicians to
re-found the country and sign a
new social commitment.
Twelve congressmen, among the 32
signatories of the Ralito
Agreement, are now being
investigated by the authorities,
and nine legislators are accused
of having links with
paramilitary groups.
Three of these latter nine are
being held without bail (Alvaro
Garcia, Jairo Merlano and Erik
Morris), and another six are
awaiting decision by the Supreme
Court.
The Court will decide the
measures to be adopted against
these legislators, while the
attorney general will determine
on two governors, four mayors,
and several councilmen, among
others who signed the Ralito
Agreement.
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