Colombia's Supreme Court jails 3 ex-congressmen for links to rightwing death squads

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia's Supreme Court jails 3 ex-congressmen for links to rightwing death squads
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 14:33
Adriaan Alsema



Colombia's Supreme Court convicted three former Congressmen Wednesday of using the intimidation of right-wing death squads to get voted into office.

Former Congressmen Luis Alberto Gil, Alfonso Riaño and Oscar Josue Reyes were given five to nine year jail sentences and fines amounting to $5.6 million for collaborating with the now defunct paramilitary group the AUC - a terrorist organization according to the U.S. and the E.U.

The three lawmakers were elected in 2002, and were part of the governing coalition of former President Alvaro Uribe who was elected into office months later.

~snip~
Ever since the then-senator and current Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro denounced the links between the powerful AUC and members of Congress in 2005, dozens of lawmakers -- almost all part of the coalition of Uribe -- were sent to prison.

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/21606-colombias-supreme-court-sends-3-ex-lawmakers-to-jail-over-links-to-rightwing-death-squads.html

Colombia's government is the 3rd largest recipient of U.S. taxpayers' foreign aid.

[Octafish]

1. Operation CONDOR Jr. Types -- Friends of Friends of Jebthro Bush

Through Uribe and the banks in Cali, Medellin, etc.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-turn/2011/01/hispanic_leadership_network_me.html