Colombia: Gov’t confesses to army corruption

Colombian defense minister Juan Manuel Santos admitted that “high levels” of the country’s armed forces have been infiltrated by drug traffickers and rebels. Santos’ comments were corroborated by the spokesman one of Colombia’s main guerilla groups- the ELN- who told the local media that corrupt officers would sell them information in order to avoid being captured.

Last week, allegations of corruption intensified when three people were arrested for recruiting retired army personnel to work for drug capo “Don Diego” Montoya. In response to the government’s confession, opposition lawmakers have issued subpoenas for Santos and senior army personnel to attend congressional hearings.

Meanwhile, demobilized paramilitary leaders promised to return to confessing their crimes to a special judicial commission. Yet it is not know how far they will cooperate with the government after breaking off negotiations with them last week.

Sources (English)- International Herald Tribune, BBC News, Al Jazeera, The Latin Americanist

Sources (Spanish)- El Tiempo, RCN

Image- Canada.com