Captured drug lord ‘Don Mario’ was called to testify against Mario
Uribe, the former coalition senator and cousin of President Álvaro
Uribe. The drug lord would have used his influence to help Uribe be
voted into the Senate.
Mario Uribe was accused of paramilitary ties by former paramilitary Juan Vicente ‘Pantera’ Gamboa, who had told prosecutors that ‘Don Mario’ had supported the campaign of Uribe.
The hearing was requested to take place this Wednesday, but was stopped by Colombia’s prison authority INPEC because of alleged security risks, newspaper El Espectador reported Wednesday.
Mario Uribe won the latest Senate elections in Urabá where ‘Don Mario’ ruled the paramilitary forces.
According to ‘Pantera’, it was ‘Don Mario’ himself who ordered his troops to ensure the election of the President’s cousin. ‘Pantera’ said they needed Uribe in Congress to make sure the demobilization process that was about to begin would be favorable for the paramilitaries.
The arrested paramilitary told prosecutors that he and his men had gone to people’s house to ask them — while holding a gun in their hand — to vote for Uribe.
Daniel ‘Don Mario’ Rendón Herrera is called to appear before the prosecution next week.