Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
  • About us
  • Support us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
News

US Embassy denies funding illegal wiretaps

by Sarah Cast August 23, 2011

The Washington Post has falsely claimed that U.S. security aid was used in illegal wiretapping by Colombia’s intelligence agency DAS, said the U.S. Embassy in Bogota Monday.

“[The United States government] has not participated in any way in such violations or had information about it,” a U.S. Embassy statement said.

According to the embassy, when it learned of the illegal surveillance of journalists, Supreme Court judges, opposition politicians, and members of NGOs, it immediately requested that the Colombian Prosecutor General’s Office investigate.

“The U.S. has repeatedly stated that the alleged illegal wiretapping by the Department of Administrative Security (DAS) are unacceptable,” the embassy statement said.

“The U.S. government has no knowledge that any equipment provided by the U.S. has been misused in Colombia,” newspaper El Colombiano quoted a U.S. State Department spokesman as saying.

Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzon requested Monday that the United States verify whether or not the claims of The Washington Post were true.

The Washington Post reported Sunday that United States money, equipment and training were supplied to the Colombian intelligence agency DAS to carry out the illegal wiretapping and smear campaigns against opponents of the administration of former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

The American newspaper claimed that its allegations were supported by “law enforcement documents obtained by The Washington Post and interviews with prosecutors and former Colombian intelligence officials.”

Uribe, who is currently under investigation for his involvement in the wiretapping scandal, denied that U.S. funds were used for any illegal activity. According to Uribe, The Washington Post “manipulates facts and distort reality.”

  • Download press release (PDF)
DAS wiretap scandalUnited States

Trending

  • Medellin hospitals on brink of collapse amid COVID-19 surge

  • Colombia’s prosecution opens investigation against opposition presidential candidate

  • Bogota announces weekend lockdown, tougher mobility restrictions

Weekly interviews and news updates

Related articles

  • Colombia’s peace process ‘essential’ to fight drug trafficking: US

  • Colombia’s ex-president asks Biden to remove Cuba from terror list

  • Duque isolated as US vows ‘strong support for peace in Colombia’

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top