Reply #16: Colombian Senator: Death Squads Met At Uribe's Ranch [View All]

[struggle4progress]

Scandal Over Paramilitary Ties Widens

By Juan Forero
Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, April 18, 2007; Page A18

BOGOTA, Colombia, April 17 -- An opposition lawmaker on Tuesday alleged that paramilitary death squads met at the ranch of President Álvaro Uribe in the late 1980s and plotted to murder opponents, an explosive charge in a growing scandal that has unearthed ties between the illegal militias and two dozen congressmen.

Basing his accusations on government documents and depositions by former paramilitary members and military officers, Sen. Gustavo Petro said the militiamen met at Uribe's Guacharacas farm as well as ranches owned by his brother, Santiago Uribe, and a close associate, Luis Alberto Villegas.

"From there, at night, they would go out and kill people," Petro said, referring to the sprawling ranch owned by Álvaro Uribe, who served as a senator from 1986 to 1994 ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/17/AR2007041702007.html