Colombia’s Prosecutor General’s Office and drug lords are negotiating the dismantling of the criminal organizations, a top prosecution official said Wednesday.
According to deputy Prosecutor General Jorge Fernando Perdomo, the drug trafficking organizations have appointed a defense attorney to negotiate their surrender to justice.
Caracol Radio reported that this attorney is trying to negotiate legal benefits in return of the groups’ disarmament.
Perdomo reportedly refused to reveal the names of the groups that allegedly want to demobilize.
Perdomo’s boss, Prosector General Eduardo Montealegre, had announced special legislation allowing the demobilization of groups that can not take part in conflict-related demobilization processes.
MORE: Colombia’s Prosecutor General proposes scheme to dismantle drug trafficking organizations
To allow the possible future demobilization of members of groups like the “Urabeños” and the “Rastrojos,” different legal mechanisms are necessary as both groups are excluded to take part in existing mass demobilization schemes like currently being worked out with the FARC and previously carried out with paramilitary AUC from with for example the Urabeños were formed.
“They are no actors in the conflict,” Prosecutor General Eduardo Montealegre claimed, adding that “they will not fall under the transitional justice law” that allows leftist rebels to reintegrate while enjoying judicial benefits.
According to Perdomo, Montealegre is personally in charge of negotiating with the drug gangs.
Sources
- Abogados buscan sometimiento de jefes de bandas criminales (Caracol Radio)