Colombia arrests brother of interior minister

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia arrests brother of interior minister

September 25, 2008 9:16 AM

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Colombian authorities say they have arrested the brother of the powerful interior minister on charges that include illegal enrichment.

The national prosecutor's office says that charges against Guillermo Leon Valencia also could include use of privileged information and ties with the leader of an outlawed paramilitary gang involved in drugs.

Valencia is a former regional prosecutor and the brother of Interior Minister Fabio Fabio Valencia, who is in charge of the president's office now because President Alvaro Uribe is traveling abroad.

The minister read a statement to reporters after Thursday's arrest, expressing sorrow at the arrest of his brother but respect for the court's action in issuing the warrant.

http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=WORLD&ID=565374106246448344

[Judi Lynn]

1. Drug scandal inches closer to Colombian government

Drug scandal inches closer to Colombian government
By Hugh Bronstein
REUTERS

11:09 a.m. September 25, 2008

BOGOTA – The brother of Colombia's justice minister was arrested Thursday as part of an organized crime probe linking dozens of political allies of President Alvaro Uribe to the country's cocaine trade. Guillermo Valencia, brother of cabinet member Fabio Valencia, was the city of Medellin's chief prosecutor when he was recorded on a wiretap making statements suggesting that he colluded with a wanted drug lord.

He denies any wrongdoing and the minister says he will not step down.
The arrest comes as about 60 members of Colombia's Congress, most from Uribe's conservative coalition, face charges of using drug-running paramilitary thugs to intimidate voters.

U.S. Democrats are blocking a trade deal with Colombia based on concerns that Uribe has not done enough to crack down on paramilitaries who have killed labor union leaders.

Colombia's Cambio magazine broke the news of the wiretaps, prompting the national attorney general's office to investigate suspicions that Guillermo Valencia was linked to former right-wing paramilitary commander Daniel “Don Mario” Rendon.

More:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20080925-1109-colombia-scandal-.html