Monday, September 25, 2023

Colombia general sentenced in US for paramilitary links

A federal court in the United States has sentenced Gen Mauricio Santoyo, who was President Alvaro Uribe’s security chief, to 13 years in jail for links with paramilitaries.

The retired police general pleaded guilty to links with the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC).

The group is accused of mass killings in Colombia and is on the US list of terrorist organisations.

- Advertisement -

Gen Santoyo was also fined US$125,000.
Drug smuggling

From 2002 to 2005, Gen Santoyo served as security chief for then-President Uribe.

Another close aide of the former president, Mario Uribe, was found guilty last year of having links with the AUC.

But Alvaro Uribe denies any link with the organization, which led a campaign against left-wing rebels and people suspected of collaborating with them.

- Advertisement -

Gen Santoyo handed himself to the US authorities in July.

In his plea agreement, he said he took bribes from the AUC from 2001 to 2008 in exchange for tipping them off ahead of police operations against them.

Some of the operations also involved US drug enforcement agents.

Gen Santoyo initially rejected the charges of conspiring to smuggle drugs into the US, but eventually pleaded guilty.

The Eastern District Court of Virginia, in Alexandria, ruled that he must pay $125,000 for the drug smuggling charges.

As part of a 2003 peace deal brokered by Alvaro Uribe’s government, most paramilitary leaders surrendered and demobilized tens of thousands of their men in exchange for reduced jail terms and protection from extradition.

- Advertisement -

FACT CHECK:
We strive for accuracy in its reports. But if you see something that doesn't look right, send us an email. The Q reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it's accuracy.

Rico
Rico
"Rico" is the crazy mind behind the Q media websites, a series of onlinemagazines that includes TodayColombia.com. Rico brings his special kind of savvy to online marketing. His websites are engaging, provocative, informative and sometimes off the wall, where you either like or you leave it. The same goes for him, like him or leave him.There is no middle ground. No compromises, only a passion to present reality as he sees it!

Related Articles

Colombia has one of the lowest minimum wages in Latin America

QCOLOMBIA - 2023 starts and with it many of the workers...

Colombia and Venezuela reopen border crossing after 7 years

QCOLOMBIA - Colombia and Venezuela on Monday, September 26, 2022, reopened...
- paying the bills -

MOST READ

- paying the bills -

WANT TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST!

Get our daily newsletter with the latest posts directly in your mailbox. Click on the subscribe and fill out the form. It's that simple!