Colombian Mayor Arrested
For Links With
Paramilitaries
Bogota - Colombian
authorities on Wednesday
announced the capture of
Miguel Gomez, the mayor
of Taraza, for alleged
links with
paramilitaries.
According to
investigators, Gomez
engaged in dealings with
the defunct miners' bloc
of the United Self
Defense of Colombia (AUC),headed
by extradited
paramilitary leader
Ramiro Vanoy, who is
responsible for
thousands of killings in
Colombia.
Prosecutors said the
mayor of Taraza, in
Antioquia department,
faces charges of
abetting crime, issuance
of threats and the use
of force.
Gomez will be taken to
the capital Bogota and
produced before human
rights prosecutors.
After the demobilization
of the AUC from 2003 to
2006, the paramilitaries
have confessed their
links with officers,
police and militaries to
receive juridical
benefits from the so
called "law of justice
and peace."
At least 30 legislators
from the ruling party
have so far been
incarcerated for links
with paramilitaries.
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