10 Colombia Senators ‘inherit’ votes from jailed ex-Senators
10 Colombia Senators inherit votes from jailed ex-Senators
Jul 23, 2014 posted by Daniel Medendorp Escobar
Colombias recently inaugurated Senate will bring a new dynamic to national politics, though not necessary a new face to its politicians.
The arrival of former President Alvaro Uribe and his Democratic Center (Centro Democratico) party on the scene means a new right-wing opposition set to join the changed face of the leftist opposition, which now includes figures like Claudia Lopez and Ivan Cepeda.
Despite these developments, the shadow of corruption still looms large over Congress, after over 10% of the previous Congress was dismissed on charges including vote buying, nepotism, and links to illegal armed groups. Indeed, in this Senate, a number of politicians have direct family ties to members convicted on related charges.
MORE: 10% of Colombias 2010-2014 Congress kicked out of office
Of the 102 senators now starting their terms, 10 inherited votes, political structures, and support from jailed family members. In the vast majority of cases, the individuals in question were jailed for so-called parapolitics, political coordination with paramilitary death squads.
More:
http://colombiareports.co/10-colombia-senators-inherit-votes-jailed-ex-senators/