Former Senator Luis Alberto Gil was barred from holding public office for ties to now-defunct paramilitary group the AUC.
After a four-year investigation, the prosecutor general concluded that ties between the ex-senator and paramilitaries existed for purposes of “intimidation, as well as economic resources from illegal activities, to achieve seats in Congress.”
Luis Alberto Gil confessed to having met with ex-paramilitary leader Ivan Roberto Duque, alias “Ernesto Baez,” during his time in office. However, Gil claimed that he did not accept any political support from Ernesto Baez, who was the AUC’s Central Bolivar Bloc leader at the time.
The prosecutor general also found Gil guilty of having met with AUC leader Rodrigo Perez Alzate, alias “Julian Bolivar,” on two occasions in 1998 and 2002.
Testimonies from former congresswoman Yidis Medina also provided evidence that Gil sought alliances with paramilitary warlords for electoral purposes.
Gil will not be able to hold a position in public office for 20 years.