Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba has been barred from holding public office for 18 years by the country’s inspector general for having ties to guerrilla group FARC.
The Inspector General’s Office considers it proven that the controversial senator “promoted and collaborated with” the guerrilla group, considered a terrorist organization by Colombia, the United States, and Europe.
Among other evidence, the inspector general used documents allegedly found in computers of slain FARC commander “Raul Reyes” to support his ruling.
The same evidence had previously been dismissed by the country’s prosecutor general, who considered that there was insufficient evidence to merit investigating the senator for ties to the FARC.
Cordoba is a highly controversial public figure in Colombia and was often accused by former President Alvaro Uribe of having ties to the FARC. The Liberal Party senator is president of “Colombians for Peace,” a group of prominent Colombians that are calling on the government and guerrillas to seek a political solution to the country’s 46-year-old violent conflict, and has in the past negotiated the release of a number of hostages held by the FARC. Cordoba was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.