Impunity Watch: South America

BRIEF: Leader of Colombian Cartel is Extradited to the United States

The "Norte Valle Cartel" is Colombia's most powerful cartel and has allegedly exported more than 500 metric tons of cocain to the United States.  This amount of cocaine is worth more than $10 billion dollars and usually passed through Mexico en route to the US.  Juan Carlos Ramirez-Abada, better known as "Chupeta" seemed to be at the heart of it all, controlling a large portion of these exports.

Ramirez-Abadia led a group of hundreds to carry out these exports.  Various offices manufactures, exported, bribed, and transported for the cartel.  Gunmen were also hired to kill and torture under his direction.

Ramirez-Abadia was arrested in Brazil last August.  He was sentenced in Brazil to serve 30 years in prison but has now been transferred to the United States.  He will face charges in New York as well as federal charges in Washington, D.C.  These charges include murder, drug-trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering.

For more information, please see:

Media-newswire - Cocaine Cartel Laader to Face Charges in the United States - 26 August 2008

Colombia Reports - Brazil extradites 'Chupeta' - 22 August 2008

Bolivia Uprising, Over 6.000 Cases Left Unsolved by the Bolivian Governments over 37 years; Rio de Janeiro Favela Suffered Attack by Militia; Colombian President’s Cousin Freed from Jail

By Oscar J Barbosa
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

LA PAZ, Bolivia - 6.681 victims have been registered by a Human Rights Organism in Bolivia. These people were assasinated, forcely dissapeared and exiled from the Country. The report published by the organism was presented by Guillermo Viela to the Bolivian Vice Presidency. The document titled “Impunity: The Power’s Practice” describes the many cases left unsolved and the need of the government to disclose thousands of secret files kept from the dictatorships.

The document revealed 4,877 citizens victimized by the dictatorship governments from 1970 to 1982. Another 1,804 victims have been registered in the last decades under democratic governments.

12-Days following the referendum that legitimized Evo Morales’ Presidency, the separatists regions remain uprising against the socialist policies of the government. Rebellious groups, and neo-nazi youths have lead road blocks, attacked Pro-Evo indigenous, and demanded independency from the Country.

For more information, please see:

Los Tiempos - Dictadura y democracia dejó 6.681 víctimas en el país – 22 August 2008

AFP - Roadblocks in Bolivia to protest Morales policies – 20 August 2008

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The Favela of Barbante, in the Eastern Region of Rio the Janeiro 17 armed militants attacked a house and killing Seven tenants. The police investigation found that these militant groups might have been sponsored by local candidates to regional governments to promote the presence of private militia to protect the people.  Among the suspected assailants there are three military police, two police officers, a firefighter and the son of a local politician.

For more information, please see:

Agencia Brasil - Polícia identifica dez suspeitos de envolvimento em chacina no Rio – 21 August 2008

JC Online - Filho de vereador é acusado de chefiar milícia no Rio – 20 August 2008

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BOGOTA, Colombia – Four months after his arrest on charges of colluding with far-right death squads, Mario Uribe, President Uribe’s Cousin, was released from detention.  President Uribe and Mario Uribe have been close political allies since the mid 80’s.

The prosecutor said there was not enough evidence to incriminate Mario Uribe, letting him leave detention, while remaining unauthorized to leave the country.  Mario Uribe had been denied asylum in Costa Rica in April when he tried to avoid arrest.

Another politician, William Montes was freed upon finding that he was under duress when he signed a pledge to form an alliance with the paramilitaries. Montes had been detained for 15 months under charges of criminal conspiracy.

Paramilitaries are responsible for over 10,000 murders and the theft of millions of acres of land across Colombia, leaving thousands more displaced from their lands. The scandal linking politicians to the paramilitaries has left 29 congressmen in jail on criminal conspiracy.

For more information, please see:

AP - Close ally of Colombia's president freed from jail – 20 August 2008

DiarioCoLatino - Primo de Uribe queda libre en medio de controversia – 21 August 2008 

Argentina Will Wait for Sentencing of Oppressors; Attempted Murder of Demobilized Paramilitary in Colombia; Indigenous Groups in Peru Revolt by Taking Installations

By Oscar J Barbosa

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

SAN MIGUEL DE TUCUMÁN, Argentina – Antonio Bussi y Luciano Menéndez are Ex-military that ruled the region of Tucuman during the Argentinean dictatorship in the 70’s. Their court cases are the first to prosecute the responsible for hundreds of disappearances and killings of the opposition.  

Bussi is being tried for the 1976 disappearance of Guillermo Vargas Aignasse, ex-senator of the region.

For more information, please see:

La Voz - Bussi-Méndez: Ex policía declaró no recordar el acta de detención de Guillermo Vargas Aignasse – 14 August 2008

Primera Fuente - El 28 de agosto se leerá la sentencia para Bussi y Menéndez – 14 August 2008

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BOGOTA, Colombia - In the city of Barrancabermeja, a motorcycle hitman opened fired to a venue where demobilized paramilitaries attended sessions with psychologists. Three ex-paramilitaries and psychologists were harmed.

This happened a week after the Ex-leader of the AUC admitted to have killed over three thousand civilians.

For more information, please see:

Univisión - Colombia: 3 ex paramilitares heridos en ataque durante taller psicosocial – 14 August 2008

El Colombiano - Cuatro heridos dejó ataque contra desmovilizados en Barranca – 14 August 2008

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LIMA, Peru – Indigenous Peruvians launched a state-wide protest against government policies that threaten their communities.  In the Cusco Region, the Camisea gas field was taken, forcing a cease in extraction and evacuation of workers. The installations of the State owned Petroperu in Loreto were also taken by 800 indigenous. In the Amazonian region, the Aramango Hydrolectric was taken. In addition, more groups presented themselves at the oil pumping stations of Danten del Marañon and others blocked roads around the country. These manifestations aim to talks with the Government.

The groups feel threatened by the Free Trade Agreement with the US, and the 38 decrees being legislated that would legalize the privatization and mass takeover of the Amazonian Region.

For more information, please see:

Intercontinental Cry - Indigenous Peruvians Launch State-wide Protest – 13 August 2008

Root Force - Indigenous Peruvians Seize Energy Infrastructure – 12 August 2008

UK Reuters - Peru tribes take over part of Pluspetrol operation – 12 August 2008

New Laws Give Chavez More Power; Peruvian Government Denies Allegations that it Made Political Deals to Make Fujimori More Comfortable; Two Killed in Miner Protest in Bolivia

By Christopher Gehrke
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela = Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has enacted 26 laws increasing the state’s power over the economy right before critical regional elections.

Where some laws are targeted, Chavez said, at fighting food shortages and inflation, other laws increase his power and are similar to proposals that were included in a narrowly rejected constitutional reform proposed in December.

Chavez’ actions have been criticized by the United States, business leaders, and the opposition party.  The law creates  a “strategic food reserve“ under state control.  Regional councils must work with the government to decide which regions will consume which food items.

“The impact in the first case that we can see is that the state will decide what needs to be eaten, when and where,” said the president of the Venezuelan Chamber of the Food Industry.

“Neither Venezuela’s citizens nor the national assembly were afforded the opportunity to participate in a debate on these changes,” said Gonzo Gallegos, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department.

About 3000 opponents of Chavez marched through Caracas yesterday to protest these laws.  Riot police used tear gas to break up the crowds chanting “freedom!” earlier this week.

For more information, please see:

VOA.com  - US Calls Chavez’ Rule by Decree Effort Worrisome - 7 August 2008

AFP – Chavez enacts new laws with iron fist ahead of polls – 9 August 2008

AP – Government opponents protest in Venezuela – 9 August 2008

CNN (AP) – Tear gas used to break up Caracas protests – 7 August 2008

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LIMA, Peru – Supposed privileges to ex President Alberto Fujimori in jail have been confirmed.  A television show reported that Fujimori received friends in prison despite rules that allowed him only relatives.

Guests included a finance consultant, his web-page designer, a fortune teller, and ex and active Congresspeople, according to Prensa Latina.  Commentators allege that the softening of the sentence is part of an alliance between political parties – Aprista and Fujimori’s group - that helped elect Aprista member Javier Velasquez  and Alejandro Aguinaga as Congress president and vice president.  According to local press outlets, Interior Minister Luis Alva confirmed the alliance.

The government denies these reports.

“That’s a lie.  It’s absurd,” said President Alan Garcia.

Fujimori’s daughter and congresswoman Keiko claimed that the changes were in response to the ex-president’s cancer.  Fujimori is on trial for human rights abuses that occurred during his administration.

For more information, please see:

Prensa Latina – Fujimori privileges in jail exposed – 4 August 2008

Tehran Times – Peru’s Garcia denies Fujimori prison deal – 5 August 2008

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CNN – Over thirty people were injured and at least two were killed in an altercation between police and miners at a central Bolivian mine.

Over 4000 miners have blockaded roads for more than a week in a pension dispute about 115 miles from La Paz, Bolivia’s capital.  Miners burned a public bus and tried to destroy a bridge with explosives Tuesday reported the Bolivian Information Agency, recalling a government version of the events.

The government said that the miners’ strike were attempts by the opposition to weaken the president before a recall vote that could have forced another election.

For more information, please see:

CNN – Bolivia protest leaves two dead – 6 August 2008

International Business Times – Two killed in miners protest prior to Sunday’s Bolivian recall election – 7 August 2008

Organization of American States Warns of New Paramilitaries; Venezuelan Supreme Court allows Disqualifications in Elections; Chevron Accused in Ecuador of Violations to the Life and Environment of Indigenous Communities

By Oscar J Barbosa
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia - Chief of the OAS mission in Colombia Sergio Caramagna announced during an interview, a big concern about the emerging illegal bands.  Over 20 groups paramilitary-like with links to drug trafficking have been identified.

The Paramilitary groups in Colombia handed in their weapons in 2004 in exchange for lower sentences, special detention centers and protection from extradition from drug crimes. Emerging groups could raise violence and increase the number of victims. Paramilitaries victimized at least 140.000 Colombians until 2004.

For more information, please see:

Milenio - Existe en Colombia nueva generación de paramilitares: OEA – 07 August 2008

Univision - OEA: Al menos 140.000 personas víctimas de paramilitares en Colombia – 07 August 2008

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CARACAS, Venezuela – Candidates accused of corruption in the upcoming elections in Venezuela have been banned from participation. Both Pro-Chaves and Anti-Chavez candidates have been denied participation, these adding to over 300 people.

Opposition criticizes the policy as an unconstitutional tactic to remain in power. The court held that full due process in regards to corruption accusations are in place, and therefore the regulations and disqualifications of candidates did not violate the constitution.

Judge Lopez, in dissent, advised that the decision had been made out of "fear" of the majority and that it was "in favor of a government that can manipulate the public powers in order to impose its will because it has lost popular support."

For more information, please see:

Venezuelanalysis - Venezuelan Supreme Court Ratifies Candidate Disqualifications as Constitutional – 07 August 2008

BBC - Venezuelan candidate ban upheld – 06 August 2008

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QUITO, Ecuador – Chevron had submitted to jurisdiction in Ecuador, under accusations of dumping 18.5 billion gallons of toxic waste into Amazon waterways from 1964 to 1990. As a result, the ability of the indigenous groups to live in the rainforest has been greatly affected. Texaco-Chevron had built over 1000 open-air waste pits that leeched toxins into the soil and groundwater for decades. Nearly 30,000 Amazon residents are seeking $12 billion from Chevron for the dumping, biggest lawsuit in an environmental law case.

The leaders of the Cofan, Secoya, and Siona tribes are planning a trip to Washington, DC in September to talk directly with Members of Congress and the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and attempt to bring the real picture to the US Congress.

In addition, Chevron has openly promoted geopolitical blackmail to save itself from the lawsuit. The giant is urging the US administration to stop the special trade preferences with Ecuador if that nation doesn’t force the Amazon residents to drop the case. If the White House accedes, it would be the second triumph to Chevron in a matter of weeks.  The US Senate had dropped a process to penalize Chevron for its ties with the military junta in Burma.

Ad-hoc news announced that: among the lobbyists hired by Chevron are former Senators John Breaux and Trent Lott, and Mac McLarty, former White House Chief of Staff in the Clinton Administration. Their work has been focused on Ambassador Susan Schwab, the United States Trade Representative; key Members of Congress; and John Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State.

For more information, please see:

Ad-Hoc News - Amazon Indians Accuse Chevron Lobbyists of Misleading Congress over $16 Billion Liability – 30 July 2008

Democracy Now - Chevron Lobbies White House to Pressure Ecuador to Stop $12 Billion Amazon Pollution Lawsuit - 5 August 2008

Uribe Speaks Out in Support of Longer Drug sentences; Nine Suspects Killed by Police in Brazil; Founding FARC Member Indicted

By Jessalyn Mastrianni
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia – President Alvaro Uribe has now called for the United States to impose harsher sentences on drug-traffickers.  Over 900 cocaine traffickers from Colombia have been extradited to the United States in the past five years and most have been negotiating sentence deals. 

Even paramilitary members have recently been extradited on drug charges and face prison sentences that are much shorter than they would have faced if charged with their crimes against humanity.  Uribe and other Colombian officials are not trying to push American officials to impose harsher sentences and lessen plea bargains from the prosecutors.  Since Colombia and the United States have been strong allies against the drug trafficking networks, this disagreement is surprising but could be a good step toward harsher punishments.

For more information, please see:
AP – Uribe to ask US for longer trafficking sentences – 2 August 2008

VOA News – Colombia Paramilitaries Plead Guilty to US Drug Charges – 30 July 2008

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Police killed ten suspected drug traffickers after being cornered by gunmen on Monday.  The police were surrounded by the gang members while trying to retrieve a stolen truck.  Helicopter reinforcements appeared on the scene and a shootout ensued, killing ten people and injuring one police officer and five civilians.  Five others were arrested.

The slums in the outskirts of Rio De Janeiro are overrun by drug gangs and the police there have killed over 1,3300 civilians last year in operations such as this one.

On Monday night, friends and family of the dead and wounded gathered around the hospital where the victims were taken, and police dispersed pepper spray to scatter the crowd.

For more information, please see:
Reuters – Police kill 10 suspects in Rio slum shootout – 5 August 2008

AP – Brazil police kill 9 alleged gangsters – 5 August 2008

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WASHINGTON D.C. - Hely Mejia Mendoza, a senior member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), was indicted on Friday by a grand jury in Washington, D.C. for his role in the hostage-taking of three Americans.  The hostages were held for five years until their rescue by military forces last month.

Hely Mejia Mendoza, 55, better known by his FARC alias “Martin Sombra” faces seven counts of terrorism and weapon charges.  He could spend a maximum term of 60 years.

Sombra was a founding member of FARC and became the most senior member of FARC ever captured in February 2008.

For more information, please see:
PR Newswire – Senior Member of FARC Terrorist Organization Indicted for his Role in Hostage-Taking of Three Americans Recently Rescued in Colombia – 4 August 2008

Reuters – U.S. charges Colombian rebel over hostage-taking – 4 August 2008

FARC's International Ties Investigated; Fujimori Enjoying Priviliges in Prison; Mass Graves Uncovered in Colombia

By Christopher Gehrke
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia – Authorities in Europe and Australia are investigating the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and their international ties. 

Four Spaniards, two Italians, an Australian and a Dane are under investigation for alleged ties to FARC.
Maria Remedios Garcia Albert of Spain was arrested in late July for allegedly leading FARC’s Spanish cell.  The Dane is connected to the Anncol news agency, which FARC supposedly uses to distribute its messages.  Italian police believe they’ve identified a person believed to be a FARC representative, and investigators have contacted Interpol to locate an Australian suspect.

For more information, please see:

The Age - Investigators probe FARC global network – 4 August 2008

Xinhua News – Europe, Australia investigate FARC’s international network – 3 August 2008

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LIMA, Peru – The lead prosecutor in Alberto Fujimori's trial for human rights abuses claims that Peru’s former president is enjoying excessive privileges in prison.

The complaint came after a congressman associated with President Alan Garcia’s party was elected to head of congress with support from Fujimori supporters.  According to AFP, without those votes, Garcia and his party would have lost control of congress.  Opposition members say that better treatment for Fujimori was part of a deal to retain political power.

Fujimori was visited in prison by a music group, popular in the 70s, who sang songs with the ex-president in order to celebrate his 70th birthday.  Fujimori may also receive visits from close friends as well as relatives three days a week.

Prosecutor Jose Pelez declared it “astonishing” that Fujimori could have “jail privileges different to those of other inmates in his category.”

For more information, please see:

AFP – Prosecutor:  Fujimori enjoying excessive privileges in jail – 2 August 2008

Prensa Latina – Fujimori’s Improved Prison Conditions Criticized – 1 August 2008

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EL CHARCON, Colombia – Colombia’s mass graves are being uncovered by the attorney general’s office and its investigative wing the Technical Investigative Body (CTI).  The CTI has been examining the thousands of killings committed by the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).

It is believed that dozens of bodies are buried in the hills around El Charcon, where people live from drug crops.  According to BBC News, there is a “total lack of government presence” in that town.

“There was never any state presence here,” said chief investigator Wilton Hernandez.  “And once we have left, they will be alone again.”

This lack of government presence meant that paramilitaries did not need to hide or bury their victims; they killed people in the streets and waited for family members to retrieve the bodies.

These investigations continue after AUC warlords Ramiro Vanoy Murillo and Francisco Zuluaga Lindo plead guilty to drug charges last week.   The men face 19 and 17 years in prison, respectively, and each could also face up to $4 million in fines.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Colombia confronts its bloody past – 2 August 2008

AP – Colombian warlords plead guilty to drug charges – 28 July 2008