The Colombian government has received $340 thousand dollars and $1.3 million in gold from the demobilized FARC rebel group for the reparation of the former guerrillas’ victims.
According to President Juan Manuel Santos’ chief of staff, Alfonso Prada, the surrendered cash and 32 kilos of gold will enter a fund meant for victims of the guerrillas’ 52-year armed conflict with the state.
A 200-year history lesson to understand Colombia’s 52-year conflict
The money and gold are only part of the assets reported by the FARC earlier this year and have been subject to fierce debate.
The total value of the FARC’s assets, which include real estate and cattle, has been estimated at $330 million, not including 267.5 kilograms of gold.
The Prosecutor General earlier called the reported assets “useless” while the FARC publicly exaggerated what they would contribute to the victims fund.
Weekly Semana published the leaked document that demonstrated both the chief prosecutor and the FARC had been dishonest to the public about the newly-formed political party’s contribution.
Why are Colombia’s prosecutor general and FARC lying about guerrilla assets?
The debate further challenged Colombians’ confidence in the peace process, which has been met with strong skepticism.
The former guerrillas, who have yet to face justice, and the government, which has been battered by corruption scandals, can hardly count on public support.
Also the peace process that started in December is only slowing gaining the confidence of people in the country that has seen two more major demobilization processes since the beginning of the 1990s.
Colombia’s government failed to seize AUC paramilitary mining assets for victim compensation
During the demobilization of the AUC, a paramilitary umbrella organization, victims were promised $650 million in reparation. Ultimately, they received $103 .6 million, according to the Victim Reparation Fund in 2016.
Dozens of politicians have since been investigated for embezzling seized assets.