A columnist for one of Colombia's most influential newspapers resigned Wednesday after media reports he had ties to slain paramilitary leader Carlos Castaño.
Ernesto Yamhure, columnist for El Espectador, handed in his resignation "for personal reasons" after having written for the newspaper since 2000.
The columnist came under fire after reports that he regularly had contact with Castaño, one of the founders of the paramilitary AUC, and allowed the paramilitary leader to modify his columns.
A USB pen drive containing evidence, now in the hands of the public prosecutor, revealed the nature of conversations between the two men, in which Castaño Gil would encourage Yamhure to change his articles in order to reflect the ex-paramilitary's own interests.
According to information found on the USB, the ex-paramilitary leader made explicit requests of the journalist. At one point saying, "I ask you a favor, please insert a paragraph that alerts the AUC about the importance of staying true to their word when in the public eye, and to ensure the cessation of hostilities."
He also warned the journalist against making an attack against the Colombian magazine "Semana," saying that he did not think it was a convenient criticism at that particular time.
According to El Espectador, newspaper director Fidel Cano Correa has accepted the resignation of the columnist who previously admitted to having political aspirations.
