Reply #2: Paramilarities' control of candidates is feared

[Judi Lynn]

COLOMBIAN ELECTION
Paramilarities' control of candidates is feared
In typical Colombian fashion, legislative elections this month mix blood with votes.BY STEVEN DUDLEY
[email protected]

MONTERIA, Colombia - Colombia has the curious historical burden of being both the oldest democracy in South America and the stage for the region's oldest civil war. So it's not surprising when the two mix at election time.

As Colombians gear up to elect a new Congress on Sunday and a president on May 28, one leftist guerrilla group has attacked and killed lawmakers, blocked roads, burned vehicles and dynamited an oil pipeline and electrical towers in an attempt to sabotage the vote. Another leftist rebel group, which is negotiating with the government, has urged voters to take part in the elections.

But the major theme of the current election campaign has been the possible participation of illegal right-wing paramilitaries as candidates in the elections -- and alleged U.S. efforts to thwart their participation.

The paramilitaries were created by ranchers, businessmen and drug traffickers two decades ago to protect them from the guerrillas, and often have massacred civilians suspected of aiding the rebels. Their peace talks with the government since 2004 have led to the demobilization of some 23,000 fighters, under a promise they will not participate in elections.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/14052943.htm