Colombian "Family Values"

A common theme in this forum is the superior closeness of Colombian families. I think this story is living proof of this phenomenon. I don't have time to translate it into English for those who don't read Spanish but I'm sure babelfish would get the main points across.

El Tiempo
"Agosto 6 de 2005
Capturan en Cartagena a mujer que mató a su esposo y le cortó un dedo para cobrar su pensión
Adalgiza Esther Zabaleta fue arrestada el lunes en el multitudinario sepelio del ídolo de la música champeta John Gutiérrez Cassiani, ‘El Johnky’.
Zabaleta, que era buscada desde hacía seis meses, creyó que podía camuflarse entre el cortejo de unos 8.000 seguidores del cantante, asesinado el domingo en la puerta de su casa.
Sin embargo, una persona la identificó y de inmediato le avisó a la Policía. Acompañó a los agentes y la señaló en medio de sepelio.  Historia macabra  Hace cinco años, Zabaleta vivía en unión libre con Augusto Herazo, un pensionado de Foncolpuertos de 50 años, en el barrio Manuela Beltrán, en Soledad (Atlántico).
Ella y su hijo Yesid (hijastro del pensionado), ahorcaron y apuñalaron a Herazo en octubre del 2000 en Barranquilla.  Cavaron un hueco en el patio de la vivienda y antes de sepultarlo le cortaron el índice derecho con el macabro propósito de usar la huella dactilar para cobrar la pensión lo que, según la Policía, lograron durante dos años.  Para conservar el dedo del difunto, lo mantenían dentro del congelador de su nevera. Pero en el 2002, en un día lluvioso en Barranquilla, los vecinos de Adalgiza, hoy de 41 años, se alarmaron por un olor fétido. Avisaron a la Policía, que descubrió el cadáver del pensionado.   Al hijo de Adalgiza lo condenaron a 25 años de prisión. Ella fue juzgada como reo ausente y tenía orden de captura. Ahora deberá pagar 12 años y medio de cárcel. Al momento de su captura dijo a los agentes que no le debía nada a la justicia y que su hijo estaba pagando por el crimen de su marido."

By Mr. Hollywood on Aug 6, 2005, 10:01 in Friendly Talkzone.

utopiacowboy says on Aug 6, 2005, 10:44:

You're right, Hollywood. It's a heart-warming story.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Miguel says on Aug 6, 2005, 15:16:

Yeah What A Story That one jumped out at me early this morning and ruined my cup of coffee, but at least I still have all my fingers.

Colombiche says on Aug 6, 2005, 15:27:

Has anyone ever heard of the term "Isolated Incident"? The fact that some lady in Cartagena killed her husband for insurance money does not indicate that this is a common practice in Colombia. It also has no bearing as to the traditional family values in Colombian society. That is like me judging Canadian family values based on the Bernardo/Homolka case. Mr. H, your posts are usually very intelligent and impartial, I have respect for a lot of the stuff you post, what happened here?

A couple of nights ago I was out with a group of colombian buddies. One of them didn't even drink a beer the whole night because he saves every last penny he makes here in Canada to send to his little boy in Buenavuentura. He also told me he hasn't seen his wife in 4 years and that his hands are calloused. Dude has been faithful to her, and I know him well enough to believe he is telling me the truth. All the crap you guys write about Colombian men being all cheaters and colombian families not having any values, doesn't always apply.

Look at your own cultures first and tell me how great your family values are. Then we will talk.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Lostgringo says on Aug 6, 2005, 17:09:

Family values Colombiche..with regards to Mr. Beautiful---"Mr.Hollywood" I find many of his posts lately are very thoughtless, negative and aggressive. Some are directed at me personally - I don't know why? I get the impression that Dollywood is very young and not as worldly as he would have us believe. I agree with you, he changes like the weather...there are definately two sides to this Jekle and Hyde guy.

Colombiche I find the story you posted sad but also beautiful. Here is a man who really loves his wife and children enough to sacrifice his life for them. I hope you guys bought him a few beers. You gotta have respect for a guy like this. Another thing, I do not think this is an isolated situation. It happens all over the world. Men and women sacrifice themselves for their spouses and their children. Obviously this guy is sacrificing more than most.

Let's face it you can also find something negative to say or believe or do in this world. This is an "easy" thing to accomplish. The difficult thing through all of this is being positive. Without getting into politics and religion we are in a world of high tech communiction where every violation known to humankind is known immediately. The newspapers love it and sensationize it to sell their newspapters and make a profit.

We need more stories like yours Colombiche in this crazy world of ours.

Thanks,

Frank

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 6, 2005, 18:27:

My dear Colombiche Colombiche, I have a lot of respect for you and your posts too. I think you missed the ironic reference to a common theme on this board, which is that somehow Colombia has vastly superior "family values" to other countries like the US, Canada and Europe.

I can't tell you how many times for example I've seen posts about how the Colombia women haven't been "ruined" by feminism (Oh, what a terrible thing! Women being treated equally!) or how the "Colombian family" is like some Walton's episode with Granpa and Granma living upstairs and all the generations glowing with love and respect for each other. I've even seen people on this board insist that there's hardly any divorce in Colombia, which just flies in the face of reality.

I never suggested that this horrible incident is typical of Colombia, any more than any lurid crime is typical of the US or Canada. Colombia, of course, is just like any other country in the world with most people trying to do their best and a small percentage of people doing bad.

Franko, thanks for saying that I seem young. I'll take that as a compliment.

Rubiazo says on Aug 6, 2005, 18:39:

I think the Bernardo case is an excellent indication of the state of families in Canada. If you want to read up on something even more horrendous, do a search on Ruby Adrienssen, aged 4, body found in 1985 in Winnipeg. But don't be drinking or eating anything at the time!! I don't want to spoil the whole story, but broken glass enters the picture :(

My idea of a great family would be one that doesnt fit the traditional Leave-It-To-Beaver mold but WORKS ANYWAY, despite society at large being opposed to it. That should be a true accomplishment in anybody's book.

utopiacowboy says on Aug 6, 2005, 19:04:

Yeah, Rubiazo, I can imagine that your idea of a happy family would be the cult family headed up by Roch Theriault. BTW, I am just kidding! I couldn't resist.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Rubiazo says on Aug 6, 2005, 19:48:

That name sounds familiar? Is that the Rael guy? One thing is for certain, they all get lots of sex!! I dunno about the spaceship thing though. If South America doesn't work out for me I may consider it though :))))

Lostgringo says on Aug 6, 2005, 20:40:

well said very well said Rubianzo

Your Home Away from Home:http://www.welovebogota.com http://www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartment and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy!

utopiacowboy says on Aug 6, 2005, 23:33:

That was the guy who had a cult in northern Ontario and had a bunch of wives and children. Thanks to Canada's prison laws he was able to have three more children by three of his wives while having conjugal visits in prison. They made a tv movie called "Savage Messiah" about the guy. How do these guys get all these chicks?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

utopiacowboy says on Aug 7, 2005, 09:50:

Yeah, he had charisma all right. He chopped off the arm of one of his wives and killed one of the children.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

utopiacowboy says on Aug 7, 2005, 09:50:

Yeah, he had charisma all right. He chopped off the arm of one of his wives and killed one of the children.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

quindioman says on Aug 8, 2005, 01:54:

jim jones anyone?