Colombia

Uribe denies links to massacre

Article published on the 2008-04-24 Latest update 2008-04-24 14:14 TU

Mario Uribe
Photo: Reuters

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe denied charges he helped plan a 1997 massacre by right-wing paramilitaries, saying he had "proof" of his innocence, and lashed out at justice officials for following up the accusations. Uribe said the charges were filed by a former member of the paramilitary, whom he said was a disgruntled convict with a grudge.

"He said I was at a meeting with him...along with various generals in La Caucana, taking part in planning the massacre at Aro, in which 15 people were killed," Uribe told Colombian broadcaster Radio Caracol.

The Supreme Court investigation into links between politicians and the right wing paramilitary group United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia has implicated 62 current and former politicians, including the current president of Colombia's federal legislature, Nancy Gutierrez. Some 31 people have been jailed so far.

The investigation has been going on since 2006, when documents were discovered on the computer of a leader of the group, indicating the existence of alliances with political figures.

Uribe revealed the existence of the investigation one day after his cousin, former senator Mario Uribe, sought, but was denied, political asylum in Costa Rica's embassy.

Mario Uribe presided over Colombia's senate until October 2007, when a Supreme Court investigation uncovered information linking him to land purchases from the militias.