Assets seized from demobilized paramilitaries that are supposed to fund reparations for victims have been sold for very low sums, without authorization or not at all, according to an investigation by Caracol Radio.
The report states Accion Social, which is responsible for the management of the reparation fund, has received 206 rural properties, 47 vehicles, 44 urban properties, 2 helicopters and a large quantity of livestock, only managed to sell one rural property, the 44 urban properties and livestock, which it sold far below market value.
Caracol Radio highlights the case of Luis Arlex Arango, alias “Chatarro,” who demobilized from the Heroes de los Llanos group. Arango handed in a children’s clothing franchise valued at over $13,000. However, asset sales raised only $2,000.
The report also claims many of the sales have been illegal as Accion Social have not sought authorization from the magistrates in charge of the process.