Colombia’s new government proposes tax reform to finance...
Peace talks with Colombia’s ELN guerrillas ‘about to...
Colombia’s largest paramilitary group announces unilateral ceasefire
The men and women who will govern Colombia...
Gustavo Petro sworn in as Colombia’s new president
Colombia to seek decriminalization of drugs despite US...
Colombia’s failing state | Part 6: indigenous under...
How serious is Colombia’s president-elect about fighting corruption?
How violent Colombia became while Duque was in...
Medellin’s secret history of violence against women and...
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
Cesar Perez (Photo: Minuto 30)
News

Former Colombian congressman sentenced to 30 years for massacre

by Adriaan Alsema May 15, 2013

A former Colombian congressman on Wednesday was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his complicity in a paramilitary massacre 25 years ago.

Former House Representative Cesar Perez had already been convicted for the 1988 massacre in Segovia, Antioquia carried out by paramilitary forces in an attempt to violently wipe out leftist political forces in the municipality.

MORE: Former congressman convicted for notorious paramilitary massacre

Cesar Perez lost the 1988 mayoral race in the town of Segovia in the central Antioquia department to Rita Ivone Tobon, who ran as a Patriotic Union (UP) candidate. The UP was a political party founded by the FARC, Colombia’s largest left-wing guerrilla group, and the Colombian Communist Party. The party was eventually decimated by assassinations primarily carried out by right-wing paramilitaries.

According to Alonso de Jesus Baquero (alias “Vladamir”), one of the leaders of the Segovia attack, Perez allegedly masterminded the assault in order to gain political power.

“He [Perez] asked Henry de Jesus Perez and Fidel Castaño to remove leftists from Segovia…so he could have absolute political control over the region,” said Vladamir.

The Segovia slaughter was preceded by threats against the town’s citizens and UP members, of which Perez denied having any knowledge.

MORE: Ex-congressman denies involvement in Segovia massacre

The attack eventually came to be known as one of the first paramilitary massacres carried out in Colombia. According to reports, paramilitaries descended upon the town’s main square and murdered people suspected of being affiliated with the UP. The order reportedly came down from the infamous Castaño brothers who led the AUC, the country’s largest paramilitary organization.

PROFILE: AUC

Investigations into the massacre began in 2010 and Perez was arrested shortly thereafter. Though he has not yet been sentenced, Perez is expected to receive approximately 25-30 years in prison. He is 80 years old.

“I respected the town’s decision,” the lawmaker said in 2012.

Antioquiacesar perezmassacresparamilitariesparapoliticsSegovia massacre

Trending

  • Colombia to seek decriminalization of drugs despite US objections

  • Medellin’s secret history of violence against women and girls

  • How serious is Colombia’s president-elect about fighting corruption?

Related articles

  • Colombia’s largest paramilitary group announces unilateral ceasefire

  • Medellin’s secret history of violence against women and girls

  • Colombia’s paramilitaries put target on police, 36 killed so far this year

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top