Mario Uribe, the ex-president of the Colombian Congress who was arrested last month for parapolitics, was rushed out of prison and to the hospital Monday morning, after exhibiting symptoms of a heart attack.
Uribe, who is the cousin of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, was transferred from La Picota prison to the El Bosque Clinic in northern Bogota, reported Caracol Radio.
Close family members of the former congressman told Caracol Radio that Uribe has suffered from cardiac problems for at least 21 years. “He is a heart patient, suffering from hypertension.”
Uribe is reported to be conscious and with his wife. He will continue to undergo medical checks for an undetermined amount of time before returning to prison.
Uribe´s trial before of Colombia´s Supreme Court is still pending.
Uribe was arrested on February 24 on charges of conspiring with various members of paramilitary organizations to commit crimes. Uribe is allegedly linked with former paramilitary Jairo Castillo Peralta, aka “Pitirri,” and Salvatore Mancuso, who commanded the Northern Bloc of the AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia).
The former paramilitaries accused Mario Uribe of having used his relationship with the AUC to buy cheap land in the department of Cordoba. They also accused him of making political deals in order to be elected to the Senate in 2002.
