Political opponents of a mayoral candidate in northern Colombia reportedly offered demobilized paramilitaries over $15,000 to testify that he had links to paramilitary groups, El Espectador reported Monday.
Daniel Cabrales, a candidate for mayor of Monteria, the capital of the Colombian department of Cordoba, filed a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor General’s Office against an unknown offender after learning of an alleged plot to plant a false witness against him.
The U Party candidate said that a man who claimed to have information that affected his campaign approached him September 19. The man identified himself as a demobilized paramilitary now working as a motorcycle taxi driver.
“I have information that you need to know,” the man reportedly told Cabrales. “A demobilized paramilitary in the Mercedes prison was paid or will be paid to testify against you, saying you had links to paramilitary groups.”
“It is regrettable to have to go to state agencies to request full guarantees for the free exercise of politics,” Cabrales said.