Martínez Rosales, who was arrested in Ibague, Tolima, is suspected to have made deals with the Tolima Bloc, a subdivision of the now demobilized United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), to ensure electoral victories of fellow Radical Change candidates in the local elections of Natagaima, Ataco, Rioblanco and Guamo.The arrest follows the accusation of paramilitary leaders Juan David ‘Walter’ Betancourth, Ricaurte ‘Carlos Orlando’ Soria, Jhon Freddy ‘Mono Miguel’ Rubio and Jose ‘Moisés’ Bedoya, who currently are serving time in Picaleña prison in Tolima.According to the demobilized warlords had made statements Martínez Rosales had met with them several times The statements of the paramilitaries had earlier led to the arrest of the mayors of the towns.Martínez Rosales was chairman of the House in 1999 and 2000. Before his arrest he already was under house arrest, after having been convicted for corruption. He survived an attack on his life in 2005.
