Former paramilitary boss Ever Veloza Garcia, alias “HH,” pleaded guilty to the murder of thirteen people in the Colombian departments of Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Antioquia between 2001 and 2002, reported Colombian media.
‘HH’, who is currently in prison in the United State, accepted the charges brought against him, which were read by human rights prosecutors via video link-up between Colombia and New York.
Alongside charges of murder, ‘HH’ is also accused of burning several homes during the 2005 massacre of eight people in the San Apartado peace community.
The massacre caused great outrage since the peace community was established in March 1997 with the intention of staying neutral in Colombia’s conflict. The community was under protection of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
The former AUC boss will now undergo trial to determine his sentence.