Colombia's Uribe hit by another political scandal

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia's Uribe hit by another political scandal
Hugh Bronstein , Reuters
Published: Monday, April 21, 2008

BOGOTA (Reuters) - A former member of Colombia's Congress says she was offered illegal favors by the government to support an amendment that allowed President Alvaro Uribe to stand for re-election in 2006, a charge Uribe denied.

The attorney general on Monday opened an inquiry into Yidis Medina's accusation that the administration promised, but did not deliver, political favors in exchange for supporting the change in law.

The investigation comes on top of a scandal linking some of Uribe's closest political allies to far-right death squads and could further complicate passage of a U.S. free trade deal, which is being blocked by U.S. Democrats concerned about Uribe's human rights record.

In an interview conducted in 2004, but not released until late Sunday night, Medina told a journalist that administration officials offered her the chance to appoint members of three local commissions in her home province -- if she backed legislation allowing Uribe to run for another term.

At one meeting, she said, Uribe asked for her support and promised the government would honor its promises to her.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=9699c153-8281-402c-ad21-3b47b9118936&k=50556

[Judi Lynn]

1. Uribe has targeted the whistle blower for some rough sledding, considering when he targets people,

they start getting death threats, that is the ones who live to talk about it. Just ask the 6 people who organized the anti-paramilitary march earlier this month, if you've got an Ouija board!

From the article:

Uribe called for an investigation of reporter Daniel Coronell, who conducted the interview. Coronell, known for his critical coverage of the president, writes a column for Colombia's main weekly news magazine and also works for the Noticias Uno, or News One, television station.

"Everything indicates that the journalist and the interviewee talked previously about the questions and answers and held the video back until both believed it was the right time to air it," a presidential statement said.

Medina, a Conservative party member who was part of Uribe's coalition in the lower house of Congress, says during the interview that the video could be shown if she is killed or if the government fails to keep the promises it made to her.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Same story, but I wanted to show the source!

Scandal hits Colombian president
Irish Sun
Monday 21st April, 2008



Colombia's president has been accused of corruption by former Colombian MP, Yidis Medina.

Ms Medina has accused President Alvaro Uribe's government of offering her illegal favours in 2004 if she voted in favour of an amendment which allowed the president to stand in the 2006 presidential election.

Colombia's Supreme Court is investigating Ms Medina's allegations, who says she never received the favours she was promised.

Two days ago, an investigation was also launched into Senate Speaker Nancy Gutierrez, who is suspected of having ties with outlawed paramilitary groups.

Dozens of President Uribe's political allies have also been caught up in the investigation into paramilitary influence in congress.

http://story.irishsun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/2411cd3571b4f088/id/351000/cs/1/

:woohoo:

[Judi Lynn]

3. Message for Uribe, message for Álvaro Uribe:

Ecuador boosts force on Colombia border
11 hours ago

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador will install electronic surveillance equipment and boost its military presence along its border with Colombia.

President Rafael Correa says his government will modernize its aging air force with modern planes, radars and electronic equipment to enforce its border. He gave no further details in his comments Monday.

The move follows a Colombian cross-border military raid on a rebel camp in Ecuador's jungle that killed 25 people, including a top guerrilla commander and an Ecuadorean citizen, on March 1.

Correa says Ecuador will "never again" allow a foreign attack on its soil.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hbNVl90aqKmPE2vkjCuVRB6I6y-gD906GDCG0