Mira Vélez, who was part of the AUC Centauros Bloc before his demobilization, was in a special witness protection program for his assumed knowledge of alleged ties between Colombian politicians and paramilitary groups.The former paramilitary had earlier told the Prosecution that extradited Carlos Mario ‘Macaco’ Jiménez was behind the creation of the Águilas Negras, a paramilitary group that has never been part of the country’s demobilization program and active in several Colombia cities and departments.So far the demobilized paramilitary’s statements proved crucial in the conviction of Edilberto Castro, former Governor of Meta, who is serving a forty year sentence for his part in the murders of politicians Carlos Sabogal, Euse Rendón and Nubia Sánchez.Mira Vélez was expected to make statements in trials against accused politicians in the departments of Antioquia, Meta and Casanare.Over sixty Colombian politicians, mostly political allies of President Álvaro Uribe are being investigated for alleged ties with paramilitary groups.
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