Colombia hopes to extend benefits to 1,600 ex-paramilitaries

Colombia’s government identified 1,600 demobilized paramilitaries that currently do not receive benefits under the demobilization program.

The 1,600 former paramilitaries do not receive benefits because they demobilized after the date of July 25, 2005.

Interior Minister German Vargas Lleras explained that it might be possible to integrate these men and women into the benefit system.

“There are groups of people who have demobilized since the issuance of the law that are not covered by either the first or the second decree, and the decision was made that in the coming days, in the coming weeks. We will design a way to give comfort to those who are not already a part of the reintegration program,” said the minister.

The Justice and Peace law was designed to allow the demobilization of some 30,000 members of the AUC, which demobilized in parts between 2003 and 2006.

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