‘El Iguano’ convicted through Justice and Peace process

Colombia’s courts on Wednesday convicted a third demobilized paramilitary participating in the Justice and Peace process, Semana reports.

Jorge Ivan Laverde Zapata, alias “El Iguano,” has been found guilty in eleven different crimes, with a total of 170 victims.

El Iguano is held responsible for 28 massacres and the killings of two prosecutors and two politicians.

The Justice and Peace law was implemented in 2006 and is intended to offer paramilitaries reduced prison sentences if they voluntarily turn themselves in.

El Iguano’s original prison sentence of 40 years was reduced to eight years because of his participation in the Justice and Peace process.

El Iguano has also been ordered to pay COP6.1 billion ($3.2 million) in reparations to victims and is currently held in the maximum security prison in Itagui, Antioquia.

Edward Cobos, alias “Diego Vecino,” and Uber Banquez, alias “Juancho Dique,” the first two paramilitaries convicted in the Justice and Peace program have been ordered to pay $385,000 reparations to their victims and will also serve eight years in prison.

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