Demobilized FARC commander ‘Karina’ was surprised to be
named “manager of peace” and have her sentence suspended by President Álvaro Uribe, she said
Thursday.
Elda Neyis ‘Karina’ Mosquera García, speaking to the press for the first time since the announcement of the suspension of her sentence, said she wanted to leave her alias behind and fight for peace. She said demobilization of guerrillas was important and regretted that she realized “so late in the war that there exist other ways or different actions to achieve peace.”
‘Karina’ and a second demobilized guerrilla, Raúl Agudelo are allowed to leave prison between 7AM
and 5PM and are allowed to receive mail and use the internet. They will
have to call to the prison authorities six times a day and will be
continuously monitored by authorities.
‘Karina’ is one of the most prominent rebel leaders that voluntarily
surrendered. She has confessed eight murders and is suspected of
extortion and kidnapping. She gave herself in on May 18, 2008.
Following the suspension of the sentence of the two guerrillas, Former senator Rocío Arias, convicted for her ties to paramilitary organization AUC, asked to become a “manager of peace” too.
Former paramilitary chief Freddy ‘El Aleman’ Rendón Herera, currently awaiting trial in the U.S., also asked to be given access to the new program. ‘El Aleman’ took part in the demobilization process of the AUC and was enjoying the priviliges that came with the demobilization, but was extradited for allegedly not complying with Colombian justice.