Uribe's ties to Colombia death squads exposed

One wonders who makes the decision to suppress these potential newspaper-selling headline stories. Can it come directly from the White House? After all, in an attempt to stand by his most loyal ally at a time of great “need,” President George W. Bush has scheduled a visit to Bogotá, Colombia, during his tour through Latin America March 8 to 14. This is the first time a U.S. president will visit Bogotá since John F. Kennedy went. Bush will also visit Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico and Uruguay.

What are Uribe’s ties, now being exposed?

Since the discovery last year of the seized computer of paramilitary leader Rodrigo Tovar Pupo, alias “Jorge 40,” a string of exposures, like a domino effect, have been occurring almost daily in that nation. Apparently a large number of government officials have worked in partnership with paramilitaries carrying out voter fraud, intimidating voters, grabbing land, and committing violence targeting political opponents, social activists and union leaders. The violence includes kidnapping and assassinations,

Eight congressmen have been arrested and are now in jail because of their collaboration with paramilitaries. All are from pro-Uribe political parties and organizations. According to a statement of the opposition party, Alternative Democratic Pole ( PDA), sent by e-mail on Feb. 23, “There are close to 100 pro-Uribe political leaders either in jail, fugitive or mentioned because of their ties to powerful illegal armed organizations.”

On Feb.19, María Consuelo Araujo, the young foreign minister whom Uribe had fervently defended from opposition criticism, was forced to resign. This followed the arrest of her brother, Álvaro Araujo, a former governor and a pro-Uribe senator, along with four others. The Supreme Court ordered the arrest on the basis of Álvaro Araujo’s ties to Jorge 40 and his role in the kidnapping of a politician who interfered with Araujo’s election. The foreign minister’s father, Álvaro Araujo Noguera, is also under investigation for similar charges.

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http://www.workers.org/2007/world/colombia-0308/