Another High Ranking Government Official in Colombia is Arrested

By Victor Ray Garza                                                                                    Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia - Guillermo Leon Valencia has joined the list of over 70 high ranking government officials to be arrested in Colombia.  Valencia was the lead prosecutor of the second most important prosecutor's office in the country.  He is charged with plotting to commit a crime, illicit enrichment, fraud and abuse of privileged information.  The charges come one month after tapes of conversations between Valencia and an alleged associate of Daniel Rendon Henao. 

Henao is more commonly known as Don Mario and is a central leader of Colombia's right wing paramilitary groups.  These paramilitary groups were initially created as a form of protection for landowners fighting left wing military groups.  However, the paramilitary groups allegedly turned to the drug trade.  There are also allegations that the government of Colombia has provided aid to the groups in exchange for help in suppressing government dissidents.  The government is accused of using the paramilitary groups to intimidate voters.

The allegations have led to an investigation by a special prosecutor appointed by the Supreme Court of Colombia.  This prosecutor issued the order for the arrest of Valencia.  Valencia is the brother of Colombia's Interior and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio.  The close tie adds fuel to the suspicion of collusion between the federal government of Colombia and the paramilitary drug traffickers.   

The right wing paramilitary groups are responsible for murders and extortion schemes across Colombia.  The United States government has even labeled the groups terrorist organizations.  U.S Senate Democrats have cited the Colombian government's ties to these groups as a reason to block a proposed trade agreement with Colombia.  Many members of Colombia's government including congressional members and political party leaders have been arrested as a part of the investigation.  Even President Alvaro Uribe's second cousin was arrested as a part of the investigation.

Valencia is accused of discussing legal issues and names of people wanted by police with a known associate of Henao.  Valencia has denied any connection to or complicity in any actions taken by Henao or any paramilitary group.  The arrest of Valencia is seem by some as just more proof of the connection between the government and the paramilitary groups. 

For more information, please see:

San Diego Union-Tribune - Drug scandal inches closer to Colombian government - 25 September 2008

Associated Press - Colombia arrests brother of Interior Minister - 25 September 2008

Colombia Reports - House arrest for Minister's brother - 25 September 2008