Colombia's AG probes ex-president Uribe over paramilitaries
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IN SHORT
Colombia's Attorney General's office is investigating former President Alvaro Uribe for alleged crimes including the creation of a paramilitary group, two massacres, and the murder of a human rights defender. Meanwhile, in the presidential race, right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella leads in polls with a platform focused on a stepped-up military offensive against armed groups and ending peace talks. Separately, New Mexico legislators are probing whether U.S. Attorneys' offices in three states and the U.S. Virgin Islands declined to prosecute Jeffrey Epstein after investigating him, issuing subpoenas for information.
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Who's Involved
Colombia's Attorney General's office
Colombian investigative body probing former President Alvaro Uribe
Alvaro Uribe
Former President of Colombia under investigation
Abelardo de la Espriella
Right-wing presidential candidate leading in Colombian polls
New Mexico legislators
State lawmakers investigating Jeffrey Epstein
U.S. Attorneys' offices
Federal prosecutor offices subpoenaed in Epstein probe
Jeffrey Epstein
Late sex offender under investigation by New Mexico legislators
Key facts
Colombia's Attorney General's office is investigating former President Alvaro Uribe.
The investigation into Alvaro Uribe includes alleged crimes related to paramilitary group creation.
The investigation into Alvaro Uribe covers two massacres.
The investigation into Alvaro Uribe includes the murder of a human rights defender.
Abelardo de la Espriella is a right-wing candidate in Colombia's presidential race.
Abelardo de la Espriella is leading in polls for the presidential runoff.
Abelardo de la Espriella proposes a stepped-up military offensive against armed groups.
Abelardo de la Espriella vows to end peace talks.
Abelardo de la Espriella plans to build mega-prisons.
Abelardo de la Espriella supports expanding fracking.
New Mexico legislators are investigating Jeffrey Epstein.
Subpoenas have been issued to U.S. Attorneys' offices in three states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Colombia's Attorney General's office has initiated an investigation into former President Alvaro Uribe. The probe centers on alleged crimes connected to the formation of a paramilitary group, two massacres, and the assassination of a human rights defender. This development occurs as the presidential race heats up, with right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella currently leading in polls for the runoff election. De la Espriella's campaign platform advocates for an intensified military campaign against armed groups and a cessation of ongoing peace talks. His policy proposals also include the construction of large-scale prisons and the expansion of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations.
In a separate matter, New Mexico legislators are conducting an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's activities. As part of this probe, subpoenas have been issued to U.S. Attorneys' offices located in three states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The objective of these subpoenas is to ascertain whether these offices opted against prosecuting the late sex offender despite having investigated his alleged criminal conduct. The investigation seeks to uncover potential decisions by these offices to not pursue charges against Epstein.
↳ Why This Matters
Colombia's Attorney General's office has initiated an investigation into former President Alvaro Uribe. The probe centers on alleged crimes connected to the formation of a paramilitary group, two massacres, and the assassination of a human rights defender. This development occurs as the presidential race heats up, with right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella currently leading in polls for the runoff election. De la Espriella's campaign platform advocates for an intensified military campaign against armed groups and a cessation of ongoing peace talks. His policy proposals also include the construction of large-scale prisons and the expansion of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations.
Frequently asked questions
Alvaro Uribe is being investigated by Colombia's Attorney General's office for alleged crimes connected to the creation of a paramilitary group, two massacres, and the murder of a human rights defender.
A court found Uribe guilty of witness tampering and procedural fraud, which could result in a 12-year prison sentence if the ruling is upheld on appeal.
Ivan Cepeda is a leftist senator and a victim in the witness tampering case against Alvaro Uribe, and is running in the presidential runoff election.
Paramilitary groups, funded by cattle ranchers, landowners, and merchants, are estimated by a truth commission to be responsible for nearly half of the over 450,000 people killed in Colombia's conflict between 1985 and 2018.
What Happens Next
01The date for Uribe's questioning in the new investigation will be decided.
02An appeal of the witness tampering and procedural fraud ruling is set for October.
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