Impunity Watch: South America

Ingrid Betancourt Unable to Return to Dangerous Colombia

By Jessalyn Mastrianni
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia – Former Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt has announced that she will not return to Colombia due to security risks.  Betancourt was held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for six years.  During her campaign for Colombian presidency, FARC captured her and she became their highest-profile hostage.  She and fourteen other hostages were rescued this past July.

Since her rescue, Betancourt has spent her time in the United States and Europe.  There have been threats against her because FARC considers the rescued hostages to be “fugitives.”  Due to the danger, at her family’s request Betancourt will not return to Colombia.  However, she is spending time with family as well as putting her efforts toward releasing more FARC hostages.

Betancourt has made it clear that she does not plan to involve herself in Colombian politics again.  She also turned down an offer from Brazil to fill the 2009 position of head of their UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). On the other hand, her advice for politicians is to open a dialogue with her captors.  She has said that the most important thing is to make sure the terrorists cannot be isolated.  According to AP, Betancourt says, “The solution is not to close the door but on the contrary to force it open."

Betancourt dreams of returning to Colombia when it is secure.  Until then, she will focus on human rights from abroad.

For more information, please see:

New Kerala – Betancourt will not return home because of threats – 23 September 2008

AP – Ex-hostage Betancourt: End terror through dialogue – 24 September 2008

The Taipei Times – Betancourt not ready to return because of threats – 24 September 2008

FARC Linked to Governments of Colombia and Venezuela

By Christopher Gehrke
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia – A former guerrilla reported yesterday that members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Colombia’s largest rebel group, have been able to freely move within Venezuela.  He stated that even he himself was responsible for receiving guerrillas into Venezuela from Colombia. 

Victor Antonio Leones, the former rebel, told Caracol Radio that FARC leaders ‘Mono Jojoy,’ Ivan Marquez, and Martin Caballero had camps in Venezuela that sheltered nearly 200 guerilla fighters.  The Venezuelan army knew about the camps and allowed them, said Antonio Leones.  FARC even received ammunition and uniforms with ‘Made in Venezuela’ on them, he continued.

(Photo:  FARC flag, Colombia Reports)

This news comes as documents and e-mails link FARC leaders with members of the government of both Colombia and Venezuela.

The documents suggest ties between FARC leader Alfonso Cano, Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’ administration.  According to El Espectador, which obtained the documents, the senator and Chavez’ administration are part of a 14-point FARC plan to fight Colombian President Alvaro Uribe’s successful security policy.

The three-page document detailed the need for Cordoba, a senator with the Liberal Party, to seek an alliance with the Bolivarian Movement (Chavez’ administration) after forming a broad “people’s party.”  After becoming “helpful friends of President Chavez,” the report continued to describe how they would be able to pressure the Colombian government politically.

Former minister and presidential candidate Alvaro Leyva has been called for questioning Friday about his supposed ties to FARC.  Authorities have uncovered e-mail conversations between Leyva and now-deceased FARC leader Raul Reyes.

The Colombian magazine Semana reported Friday that 46 people killed in Bogota, Soacha, and the coffee region of Colombia were not killed by FARC, as authorities claimed.  It is now believed that they were killed by the Colombian army.  The 46 were found in a mass grave 500 miles from their homes, and were registered as being killed in combat by the armed forces just one or two days after they disappeared.  According to Colombia Reports, this is too soon to be enrolled in a rebel group and killed in combat.  Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos said that he would investigate the deaths.

For more information, please see:

Colombia Reports – “FARC traveled freely inside Venezuela” – 27 September 2008

Colombia Reports – New mails link Chavez and Cordoba to FARC – 28 September 2008

El Espectador – La nueva estrategia de ‘Cano’ – 27 September 2008

Colombia Reports – Former Minister called for questioning about FARC politics – 26 September 2008

Colombia Reports – Colombian Army possibly responsible for kidnapping and murdering missing people – 26 September 2008

Semana – Ya son 46 los jovenes desaparecidos que fueron reportados como muertos en combate – 26 September 2008

Colombia’s Human Rights Record to be Evaluated by the United Nations

By Oscar J Barbosa
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia –  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe spoke before the UN General Assembly on Wednesday attesting to the efforts taken by his government to dismantle drug cartels and fight the war on drugs. The United Nations Human Right Commission will begin evaluations of various countries in regards to Human Rights records, and Colombia volunteered to take part in the December evaluation.

El Mundo reported that Uribe’s administration has left 13,600 deaths. The figure was part of a report by a collaboration of 400 NGOs in Colombia, and sent to the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay. Among the victims, the report showed that 1,477 individuals disappeared, and 719 of the total, were minors.

The Report also showed that about 10,000 children fought in the illicit groups in 2007. Also, about 67 paramilitary groups remain active with over 9,000 enlisted. The displaced population increased by an 18% from the 3^rd trimester of 2007, to the 1^st trimester of 2008. The facts shown by the NGOs also encouraged international protection of the community and labor union leaders, who suffer constant attacks.

Colombian Human Rights record had also been considered in various cases at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The Colombian Government declared itself guilty of negligence in regards to the Trujillo Massacre. Reparations will be given to the families affected in the Valle region, where, between 1986 and 1994, 342 people were kidnapped and dismembered by paramilitaries and drug dealers with some support of the regional authorities.   At least 20 people have arrest warrants for their involvement in the killings, some of the drug dealers are already detained, and others are retired military and policemen.

In addition, authorities in Colombia have found at least 19 bodies buried in the Santander region, one of them a minor. The bodies identified matched the names of people who disappeared from their homes in impoverished regions of Bogotá. Investigations remain ongoing, and it is unclear how and why these bodies appeared in Santander. Some versions estimate that illicit groups have forcefully recruited youngsters in the cities, and then killed those who refused join.

 For more information, please see:

Eco diario - Ordenan 20 capturas por crímenes de 342 personas en el suroeste de Colombia – 24 September, 2008

El Mundo - Más de 13.600 muertos por 'violencia sociopolítica' desde que llegó Uribe al poder

- 24 September, 2008

El Tiempo - Fiscalía confirma que fueron 19 los jóvenes hallados muertos en nororiente del país – 27 September, 2008

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

   

Bolivian Governor's Admitted Complicity May Effect Peace Talks

By Victor Ray Garza
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

LA PAZ, Bolivia - Opposition Governor Leopoldo Fernandez of Pando admitted in court to playing a role in the massacre of at least eighteen people.  The group of indigenous farmers were on their way to a pro-government rally when they were fired upon by a group of anti-government protesters. 

Judge William Davila told reporters that Governor Fernandez provided the anti-government protesters with two vehicles from his office.  He admits to doing so with the knowledge that they were on their way to ambush the group of farmers.  Tens of others were injured in the attack and hundreds others are still missing. These admissions in open court come as talks between the two opposing sides are progressing.

The Union of South American Nations (Unasur) met today in New York City at the United Nations to discuss how to resolve the crisis and give an update to the assembly.  Governor Fernandez's admissions may have an effect on the progress of the talks.  A full investigation into the massacre is one of the demands of President Morales.  Opposition leaders are asking for the release of the Governor. 

Judge Davila ordered Governor Fernandez to be locked up in the San Pedro penitentiary in La Paz.  The order came shortly after the Supreme Court ordered him moved to a prison in the opposition friendly region of Sucre.  The move to Sucre was seen as a step towards releasing the governor as a show of reconciliation towards the opposition. It remains unseen how opposition leaders will react to the placing of the Governor in a penitentiary. 

The governors admitted role in the massacre added further legitimacy to the indignation expressed by the international community.  During the Unasur meeting the heads of South American nations reaffirmed their condemnation of the tactics used by the opposition.  Unasur did report that steps in the direction of a peaceful solution have been taken.

For more information, please see:

Prensa Latina - Bolivia Governor Admits Complicity - 24 September 2008

Reuters - South America Leaders to meet on Bolivia Crisis - 22 September 2008

BBC News - Bolivian Rivals Begin Peace Talks - 18 September 2008 

Four Prison Officers in Guyana Charged with Manslaughter

By Jessalyn Mastrianni
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Authorities have charged four prison officers in the murder of inmate Edwin Niles who died on July 11, 2008.  Two of these officers rank as “assistant superintendents.”  They are Kurt Corbin and Gladwin Samuels, and they both were placed on $500,000 bail each.  No pleas have been taken.  The arrests come after a three-month investigation and were recommended by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Niles was serving three years for possession of narcotics and would have been released sometime this month.  In July, he spent a day of labor at Camp Ayanganna and returned carrying seven .22 rounds of ammunition on his person.  Then, it is alleged, that while under interrogation regarding the ammunition, Niles was beaten and scalded with hot water.  This resulted in serious injuries included a broken arm and severe burns on his shoulders and back.  Niles was hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on July 3, 2008.  Niles died a week later due to a blood clot in the lungs.  The reports show that the burns and injuries he sustained caused this clot.  Officials stated that they saw the burns.  Prison officers, however, claimed that he had dragged himself across the prison floor and inflicted his own injuries.  Niles was not allowed any visitors aside from his wife during his hospital stay. 

It is thought that the beating took place because prison officers were concerned about an alleged prisoner plot to break out of the prison.  Niles’s death has drawn major attention, and court proceedings are ongoing.

For more information, please see:

Kaieteur News – Prison death probe… Police seek murder charges against four prison officers – 5 September 2008

Kaieteur News – Guyana Prison Officers who murdered Edwin Niles to be charged – 18 September 2008

Propaganda Press – Kurt Corbin & Gladwin Samuels - 21 September 2008

Stabroek news – Edwin Niles case, Prison officers on manslaughter charge – 20 September 2008

Grave Danger Suffered by the Indigenous Population in Colombia

By Oscar J Barbosa
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia – Confrontation between the Colombian Military and the Indigenous population has taken place in the Cauca region. The Indigenous have an organized defense force, used to protect property and the community against attacks by FARC or other groups. Caracol Radio, reported that a midnight encounter between the military and the indigenous force brought confusion, consequently shots were fired from both sides, injuring many and killing two military men and an indigenous civilian.

The community has over 500 indigenous, and following the confrontation, a unit of 12-15 soldiers was detained by the indigenous. The Colombian authorities have attempted to negotiate with the indigenous to proceed with investigations without success. 

About 1.000 cases are open in Colombia involving the extrajudicial action taken by the Colombian military against civilians.

Ten officers of the 2nd Artillery Battalion are under investigation for the death of a member of the Kankuamo ethnic group. Presumably, as witness reports have attested, the indigenous man was abducted from his house by armed and masked men who took him away in October 2004. Two days later, the Colombian military presented the death body in Valledupar, he was dressed in military camouflage, and said to have been a casualty from the conflict.

After the reports were investigated by the Colombian attorney’s office, various inconsistencies came to light, questioning the veracity of the statements presented by the battalion. The military probably presented false reports to hide the crimes committed against the individual.

In 2003, two indigenous officials were killed, side by side with two body guards. The four men, belonged to the indigenous reserve Cañamomo y Lomaprieta, and were killed by unidentified military-men.  After years of investigation, the responsible men have been brought to justice, condemning each to 40 years in prison. The defendants include an officer in the Colombian National Army, a Paramilitary leader and an ex-candidate for mayor for Riosucio, Caldas -the area of the events.   

For more information, please see:

El Tiempo - Pliego de cargos contra 10 militares por falso positivo dictó la fiscalia – September 22, 2008

El Informador - Militares colombianos señalados por presunto homicidio de indígena – September 22, 2008

Fiscalia - CONDENADOS A 40 AÑOS POR MUERTE DE INDIGENAS EN RIOSUCIO (CALDAS) – September 04, 2008

Caracol Radio - Indígenas retienen a soldados por la muerte de dos miembros de su comunidad – September 20, 2008

Federal Corruption Trial in Miami Implicates Chavez, Kirchner

By Christopher Gehrke
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela - A Miami federal court case has revealed alleged attempts by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez to buy influence in South America.  A suitcase filled with $800,000 in cash is at the center of the controversy. 

(Photo: Mercopress)

The court heard testimony that Venezuela tried to funnel slush money to Argentina’s President, Cristina Kirchner, during her successful election campaign in 2007.  Both presidents disparaged the story as a ‘garbage’ attempt by Washington to ruin the reputation of South American leaders, reported the Observer.

The story originally broke in August 2007 when customs officials in Buenos Aires found Guido Antonini, a Venezuelan-American businessman, wheeling a suitcase containing $800,000.  He was on an airplane chartered by Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA.  Antonini fled to Miami and claimed the money was secret funding for Kirchner’s election while working with the FBI. 

It is alleged that Chavez and General Henry Rangel Silva, Chavez’ intelligence chief, ordered Venezuelan agents to buy Antonini’s silence with $2 million.  Antonini was wearing an FBI wire at the time, however, and the agents were arrested in Miami.

The jury heard recordings filling 155 pages of transcripts, of the plot and cover-up from  Franklin Duran, one of the agents accused of conspiracy and acting as an unauthorized agent of a foreign government.

Other allegations against Chavez used his country’s oil money to pay other governments to support Venezuela’s bid for a U.N. Security Council seat in 2006.  That bid was denied.  Venezuela’s opposition party cites secretly recorded conversations that reference greed and secret deals in Chavez’ administration as proof of corruption.

Antonini will take the stand in the coming weeks.

The trial comes during a turbulent time for Chavez.  On Friday he said he was “taking back” Venezuela’s mines, including a large gold project run by a Canadian company, which had recently been denied its permit.  Thursday Chavez expelled two Human Rights Watch members mere hours after they presented a report critical of his administration.  The report accused Chavez’ government of “discriminating against political opponents, undermining freedoms of expression and association and disregarding the need for an independent judiciary” and of undermining the work of other rights activists, reports VOA News.  Jose Miguel Vivanco, HRW's Director for the Americas, stated yesterday that it was clear Chavez would not tolerate criticism.

For more information, please see:

The Observer - Suitcase full of cash adds to Chavez corruption claims – 21 September 2008

Merco Press - Cristina Kirchner and Chavez named in Miami trial – 10 September 2008

VOA News – Rights Monitor Criticizes Venezuela for Expulsion – 20 September 2008

Reuters – Venezuela’s Chavez says “taking back” mines – 19 September 2008

UPDATE: International Groups Involved in Investigations to Clarify Indigenous Disappearances and Killings

By Oscar J Barbosa
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

LA PAZ, Bolivia – Following the events of September 11, when a group of pro-government civilians in the city of Porvenir (Pando region) disappeared and others appeared murdered, world organizations have expressed sympathy for the country, and discontent with the opposition groups.

Real News reported that the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) has given Bolivia a “universal declaration of support in its ongoing political struggle.” UNASUR convened in Chile early in the week to evaluate a route of support, and a plan of action to solve the Bolivian crisis. Juan Gabriel Valdés, a representative from UNASUR, arrived in Cochabamba today, as did Jose Miguel Insulza from the Organization of American States (OAS).

The OAS and UNASUR have provided support to the Bolivian Government and both organizations sent delegates to the country to evaluate the events of the past couple of weeks.
After arresting the governor of Pando, Leopoldo Fernandez, for his alleged role in the killings, Morales gave the governorship to Landelino Bandeira Arze, a military officer who promised to bring peace and order to the region. 

Vegard Bye, representing the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, arrived on Thursday to the region where the alleged massacre took place. Reports announced that there were at least sixteen pro-government civilian deaths, and over a hundred civilians had disappeared.

Mr. Bye announced that the local investigative bodies were doing an exceptional job and that his investigations will augment local law enforcement. Mr. Bye also mentioned that considering the UNASUR efforts to form its own investigative body, the multiple organisms involved will aim to work together to bring better results.

For more information, please see:

Law Razon - Al menos seis entidades buscan esclarecer hechos – 20 September, 2008

AFP - Enviado de ONU a Bolivia evalúa apoyo a investigación por matanza - 19 September, 2008

Univision - Representante de la ONU llega a Cobija para conocer detalles  - 18 September, 2008

RNN - Morales strengthened by Latin American leaders – 20 September, 2008

Human Rights Monitors Expelled from Venezuela

By Victor Ray Garza                                                             
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez has expelled two Human Rights Watch monitors from Venezuela.  The Venezuelan government claims the two workers from the New York-based watchdog group violated the terms of their tourist visas by participating in human rights work. 

Miguel Vivanco and Daniel Wilkinson were expelled from Venezuela shortly after they released their report for Human Rights Watch.  Vivanco is a Chilean citizen and Wilkinson is a United States citizen.  The Venezuelan government said the two men were working in concert with the United States government to create instability in the country. 

The report by Vivanco and Wilkinson released by Human Rights Watch on Thursday brought to light how President Hugo Chavez has controlled opposition to his government.  The reporters accused the government of dismantling the judiciary in Venezuela and of harassing non-governmental organization workers.  The two also accused President Chavez of using the state-run news organization to intimidate national and international human rights monitors who were challenging his creation of a military reserve unit. 

Venezuelan government officials apprehended Vivanco and Wilkinson in their hotel room on Thursday night and escorted them to the airport in Caracas to put them on a flight to Sao Paolo, Brazil.  Vivanco and Wilkinson were denied the right to contact their respective consulates when apprehended.  Vivanco stated that some of the twenty men that came to apprehend them were armed military personnel.  Vivanco and Wilkinson had their phones disabled by the government officials when they tried to contact their office in New York.  The entire episode was aired on the state-run television network.

Human Rights Watch's executive director, Kenneth Roth, cited the actions of the Venezuelan government as proof of their "descent into intolerance."  Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro stated that they "aren't going to tolerate any foreigner coming here to try to sully the dignity" of the country.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press - Venezuela expels human rights activists - 19 September 2008

New York Times - Venezuela expels rights activists - 19 September 2008

Bloomberg.com - Venezuela expels critical human rights group director(Update 3) - 19 September 2008