Imprisoned AUC paramilitary leader Salvatore Mancuso accused former Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo of involvement in the false demobilization of the AUC and a nonexistent FARC front.
In his first public interview in months, Mancuso spoke with Caracol Radio and revealed details about numerous persons involved in government scandals under the administration of former President Alvaro Uribe.
Mancuso accused Restrepo of colluding with drug traffickers and members of the military to stage false demobilizations or paramilitaries and an invented front of the FARC known as the “Cacica Gaitana” Front. This was allegedly done in order to receive legal, financial and political benefits.
“Of course Luis Carlos Restrepo knew about the false demobilization, he clearly knew,” said Mancuso, who also admitted his own involvement in the staged demobilizations.
Restrepo is currently on the run and will be tried in absentia.
The false demobilizations took place shortly before Uribe’s reelection in 2006. Many have accused Uribe of involvement in the scandal in order to increase his political capital and chances of reelection.
According to Mancuso, officials “cast” narcotraffickers and paramilitary leaders in the staged demobilization, including “Macaco” and the twins Mejia Munera.
Mancuso also implicated Colombia’s “emerald czar” Victor Carranza and retired General Mario Montoya in illegal proceedings but refused to elaborate, citing “the risk this may mean for my family.”