FARC reintegration chief assassinated in south Colombia
“Corruption cost Colombia’s peace process $119M”
Colombia suggests top guerrilla leader killed in Venezuela
Renowned economist designated Colombia’s new finance minister
Truth Commission: Colombia needs radical policy changes to...
Colombia’s controversial moment of truth
At least 49 dead after ‘prison break attempt’...
Colombia’s incoming government begins “total peace” offensive
Colombia investigating bullfighting tragedy
Petro’s first moves to restructure Colombia’s government
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
News

19 Colombian soldiers convicted for extrajudicial killings

by Courtney Scott July 31, 2012

Colombian news - false positives

Nineteen members of the Colombian Army were convicted of killing 15 civilians and falsely presenting them as leftist guerrilla members between 2007 and 2008, reported newspaper El Tiempo Monday.

The soldiers were handed down sentences varying between 30 to 40 years at a second hearing for crimes committed in the southwestern Nariño department. Investigations began after autopsy results showed that the victims’ bodies displayed no signs of combative wounds.

The soldiers dressed the civilians as FARC members to artificially boost enemy kill counts and recieve government incentive-based benfits, in what has become known as the “false positives” scandal.

  • False positive news archive

As the hearing continued, the accused confessed further details. Corporal Alen Jaimes Pasuy admitted superiors recommended he, “look for victims that weren’t from the city, that were from a low social status and preferably undocumented,” according to El Tiempo. At least eight of the victims are said to be unidentified.

The convicted soldiers also lead prosecutors to their military base where they found furniture with double backing that was used to hide weapons and other items in order to make operations appear legal.

The second phase of investigations included officers who had either participated in the murders or had knowledge of the situation and took no action to prevent it.

The “false positive” scandal first came to light in 2008 after civilians registered as guerrillas killed in combat were found in a mass grave near the border of Venezuela. More than 3,500 Colombian state agents have been implicated in the scandal.

false positiveshuman rightsmilitary

Trending

  • At least 49 dead after ‘prison break attempt’ in west Colombia

  • Truth Commission: Colombia needs radical policy changes to end conflict

  • Renowned economist designated Colombia’s new finance minister

Related articles

  • Petro’s kill plot claims confirm Colombia’s failed security policy

  • Colombia claims organized protest equates to organized crime

  • Colombia’s commemorations of national strike largely peaceful

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top