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Hundreds of Colombian paramilitaries turn in arms
(Reuters)
Updated: 2004-11-26 09:07
Some 450 far-right Colombian paramilitary fighters turned in their weapons on
Thursday as part of a government-negotiated demobilization to eliminate the
outlawed group by the end of next year.
About 2,400 more members of the 20,000-strong United Self-Defense Forces of
Colombia, or AUC, are scheduled to give up their armed struggle against the
country's left wing rebels over the next month.
![A Colombian paramilitary of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia kisses his weapon (R) before turning it over to authorities, during a demobilization in Turbo, Antioquia province, November 25, 2004. Paramilitary units demobilized and handed over their weapons as part of the peace process with the Colombian government. [Reuters]](xin_23110126090992530591.jpg)
A Colombian paramilitary of the United
Self-Defense Forces of Colombia kisses his weapon (R) before turning it
over to authorities, during a demobilization in Turbo, Antioquia province,
November 25, 2004. Paramilitary units demobilized and handed over their
weapons as part of the peace process with the Colombian government.
[Reuters] | "After 10 years of horrible
fratricidal war I come with my loyal troops to lay down our arms before the
Colombian state in a humble gesture of peace," Hernan Hernandez, commander of
the AUC's Banana Front, said.
Thursday's gun collection was held in a football stadium in the northwestern
town of Turbo. The ceremony, during which some fighters kissed their machine
guns and wept as they handed them over, was overseen by government peace
negotiator Luis Carlos Restrepo.
The AUC has its origins in vigilante groups set up by cattle ranchers and
drug traffickers to combat guerrillas. Its fighters have often cooperated with
members of the armed forces, although President Alvaro Uribe says soldiers
caught helping the outlawed AUC will be punished.
Huge swaths of Colombia remain under the control of either left wing rebels
or their paramilitary foes. Both groups are linked to the country's huge cocaine
trade.
Uribe, seeking to regain control of all of Colombia, owes much of his 70
percent popularity to his efforts at bolstering security in order to spur
economic growth.
The talks with the AUC are crucial to this strategy. But AUC leaders say they
will not agree to government demands that they serve five to 10 years in prison
for their crimes.
Casting a cloud over the peace process is Wednesday's decision by Colombia's
Supreme Court of Justice, which approved the extradition to the United States of
AUC leader Salvatore Mancuso on drug smuggling charges.
"I do not think Uribe will sign Mancuso's extradition order because that
would put pressure on the demobilization, and Uribe needs to protect that
process," Mauricio Romero, political analyst at Bogota's Rosario University told
Reuters.
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