Top Colombian officials called to testify about massacre

Three top Colombian officials, among them the country’s former Defense Minister, were called to testify on Monday about the 2005 massacre in the San Jose de Apartado Peace Community.

Former Colombian Minister of Defense Jorge Alberto Uribe, former Commander of the Army General Reinaldo Castellanos, and former army commander Carlos Alberto Ospina Ovalle were all called to testify before the Prosecutor General.

The massacre which left three children and eight adults dead, was carried about by paramilitaries allegedly in conjuntion with the 17th Brigade of the Army.

The officials are being asked to testify in the trials of former commander of the 17th Brigade General Hector Jaime Fandino and Colonel Nestor Ivan Duque Lopez.