Colombia arrests 15 soldiers for peasant killings

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN29341843
Colombia arrests 15 soldiers for peasant killings
Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:14pm EDT
By Hugh Bronstein

BOGOTA, April 29 (Reuters) - Fifteen Colombian soldiers were arrested on suspicion of killing two farmers in 2005 and passing their bodies off as leftist guerrillas killed in battle, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

The arrests were announced as Colombia tries to convince the U.S. Congress to pass a free trade deal and continue military aid despite accusations of illegal executions and other human rights abuses by state security forces.

Another 14 soldiers are wanted in the case of Frank Martinez and Claudio Olmero, who the attorney general says were falsely identified by the army as insurgents killed in action in the northern province of Cesar.

Security forces are often accused but rarely convicted of abuses connected to a 44-year-old war involving Marxist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and other groups funded by Colombia's multibillion-dollar cocaine trade.

"I do not think these 15 arrests would have been made without pressure from the United States," said Lisa Haugaard, head of the Latin America Working Group, a Washington-based human rights organization.

Senate Democrats have held up some military assistance to Colombia based on reports of illegal executions. The army says it is addressing the problem by ordering soldiers to try to capture rather than kill insurgents.

President Alvaro Uribe, the White House's staunchest ally in South America, is popular for his U.S.-backed crackdown on the rebels, which has cut urban crime and helped spark economic growth.

But the military push has been accompanied by claims that soldiers, under pressure from their commanders to show results, have killed innocent peasants and dressed them as guerrillas to pass them off as fighters killed in battle.

"These crimes will end only when soldiers see clearly that they will go to jail in these cases. So the pressure needs to be kept up," Haugaard said.

Human rights groups estimate that nearly 1,000 civilians have been executed by security forces during the president's six-year-old offensive against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

Uribe, whose father was killed in a botched FARC kidnapping in the 1980s, is pushing hard for a trade deal. But Democrats in the U.S. Congress say he must do more to safeguard the rights of labor leaders and others targeted by right-wing death squads. (Editing by Kieran Murray)

By romy on Apr 29, 2008, 22:51 in Politics & the war.

romy says on Apr 29, 2008, 22:52:

How many soldiers does it take to kill a couple of peasants? I still don't understand that shoot first mentality

poco says on Apr 29, 2008, 23:00:

Actually Romy,, I don't understand how you can continue to post this crap. I've read these articles for years,, it is almost as if people WANT the current administration to fail.

No one else in 40 years has come this close to gaining control of the country. Yes,, close,, but people would rather bash, complain, bitch and generally be ass holes rather than dig in,, help to get the country under control AND THEN START THEIR CRAP.

Generally,, you are the most misinformed and prolific poster I've seen in the last 6 years.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

romy says on Apr 29, 2008, 23:05:

I only want improvement. The current administration is mediocre at best, I believe Colombia deserves better. I would never make deals with criminals to maintain 'security' but that's just me. I guess all this news I read misinform me, I bet you are a much better source. Please direct me to your publications as I would like to learn...

poco says on Apr 29, 2008, 23:19:

Quote: I only want improvement

NO YOU Don't or you are totally misinformed about the situation. People who want improvement want the civil war OVER,, finished and guess what,, some folks are going to die,, that’s life,, or death as the case me be.

This entire conflict started with a Conservation / Liberal blowup and you indicate, just how this situation can continue,, forever.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

romy says on Apr 29, 2008, 23:24:

I'm one of the individuals that believe the problem is deeper than the guerrillas, perhaps that's being misinformed, that's my opinion.

Alma del Norte says on Apr 29, 2008, 23:39:

Poco; If Colombia cares enough to try to bring these people to justice who are you to argue with that! Your "pragmatic" attitude insults those working for a difference in Colombia today, working towards a fairer and more equal society where killing without impunity, (by anyone), needs to be shown as being unacceptable. The identity of the victims or perpetrators is niether here nor there. I think it is your attitude that illustrates how the conflict could continue.

La vida es una rutina

Dolfi says on Apr 30, 2008, 00:44:

"and guess what,, some folks are going to die,, that’s life,,

As long as it isn´t you ore anyone of your loved ones. What an ignorant attitude,

kalder says on Apr 30, 2008, 00:55:

Whenever an organisation demands that its underlings fulfill quotas, there's always problems. Criticising this process is not an assault on the administration per se. And how can drawing attention to the wilful murder of innocents be anything but a good thing?

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

Neonovo says on May 2, 2008, 21:22:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89612959

This links to interview w/victim's family, and official's response to the dire practice.

Peace
Neonovo