For the first time since Colombia began prosecuting politicians for ties to paramilitary groups, a former congressman is to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Former Representative Ramon Antonio Valencia Duque will admit that he used the support of now-demobilized paramilitary warlords “H.H.” and “El Aleman” to win a Congress seat in 2006 for the coalition Alas Aquipo Colombia party, several media report.
The former congressman was arrested in March 2008 and hopes his confession will allow him to serve his detention at home.
Valencia Duque is one of dozens of former lawmakers who used the power of the paramilitary AUC to be voted into Congress.