Colombia’s Judicial Court on Wednesday convicted a former congressman for his role in a paramilitary massacre of 43 civilians in 1988.
Former Congressman Cesar Perez was convicted for his involvement in a paramilitary massacre of 43 civilians in Segovia, Antioquia in the northwestern part of the country. Perez is awaiting sentencing and is expected to receive 25 to 30 years in prison.
During the trial it is reported that ex-paramilitary leader “Negro Vladimir” accused the former congressman of financing the massacre to gain political control of the area around Segovia.
Background: Ex-congressman denies involvement in Segovia massacre
The leftist Union Patriotica party – the former political party of Colombia’s largest guerrilla group, FARC – won elections in Segovia, Antioquia in 1988 and according to Negro Vladimir, “He [Perez] asked Henry de Jesus Perez and Fidel Castaño to remove the leftists from Segovia, a municipality where the majority supported the Union Patriotica, so he could have absolute political control over the region.”
Fidel Castaño is the brother of Carlos and Vicente Castaño, the founders of the now defunct paramilitary umbrella organization, AUC. Fidel Castaño is presumed dead and has not been seen since 1994. His death has never been confirmed.
PROFILE: AUC
The massacre went uninvestigated by Colombia’s supreme court of justice until 2010. Cesar Perez was captured July 22 of that year. He remains in the custody of Colombian authorities in Bogota‘s La Picota prison.
Sources
- Corte condeno a excongresista Cesar Perez por masacre de Segovia (El Espectador)
- Condenan al excongresista Cesar Perez por masacre de Segovia (El Colombiano)