1,248 members of Colombia’s security forces have resigned in 2008 so far. Some for alleged corruption and suspected ties with paramilitary forces or drug lords, but mostly for corruption or murder.
Colombia’s Attorney General currently has 2,764 investigations into the possible criminal activities of members of the Police or Army.
Colombia’s Human Rights Department estimates nearly a 1,000 members of the armed forces are currently being investigated for murder of civilians. “We noticed an increase in the phenomenon and believe it is because of the military’s requirement to show results and casualties,” an investigator of the Attorney General told newspaper El Tiempo.
Senior commanders of the security forces acknowlegde the gravity of the situation, but say measures are being taken to battle the criminal activities of it’s soldiers and policemen.