Colombia's far-right warlords call for truth commission to confess crimes
Colombia's far-right paramilitary leaders in prison called on Thursday for the creation of a truth commission to confess to their crimes.

The announcement was made in a letter signed by the paramilitary leaders from the prison La Ceja, as a scandal deepened over allegations of ties between the paramilitaries and some political figures in the country.

The paramilitaries are reportedly responsible for dozens of large-scale massacres and thousands of killings.

"We understand and accept that a fundamental part of the Justice and Peace Law lies in the confession of the truth of what occurred in the recent history of our national tragedy," said the letter.

"The knowledge of the full truth is decisive for the strengthening of democracy, national reconciliation and forgiveness," it added.

The warlords also urged their allies in politics, business and the security forces to do the same.

"We ask publicly that those who urged us on, collaborators and direct beneficiaries, the businessmen, industrialists and political leaders ... members of the security forces, join us in this task without apprehension or fear," said the letter.

The Colombian Authorities are investigating five politicians, including a former governor and two senators, for their close tieswith the paramilitaries.

Some of the politicians are accused of murder and others of forming the paramilitaries to help steal public funds, kill political opponents and extort votes from a terrorized politician.

A number of other prominent politicians are expected to be investigated soon.

The paramilitaries have declared that in the past, they have controlled as much as 35 percent of the country's congress.