memorandum of justification concerning human ... - Just the Facts

conspiracy in the case.
UNCLASSIFIED
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Twelve paramilitary members have been linked to the case and proceedings
continue against those individuals. Paramilitary leader Alonso de Jesus Baquero
Agudelo, alias ―Vladimir,‖ was convicted in 1990 for the killings which took place under
his command. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison and is participating in the JPP,
providing key testimony concerning the criminal acts related to La Rochela.
Though former Santander Congressman Tiberio Villarreal Ramos denies any
involvement in the murders, in early June 2009, the Prosecutor General‘s Office called
him back in for questioning. In 1996 and 1997, the Prosecutor General‘s office had
opened an investigation into and then dismissed charges against Villarreal.
La Gabarra Massacre
On August 19, 2008, Army Colonel Víctor Hugo Matamoros Rodríguez was
detained for his alleged involvement in the August 21, 1999, murders of 26 people in La
Gabarra (Norte de Santander). Three other members of the Army have also been linked
to the crime, and preventative detention orders have been issued for two; one indicted in
2000. The one that was indicted, Army Major Luís Hernándo Campuzano, was
sentenced to 40 years in prison on September 15, 2007. This was the culmination of a
six-year investigation by the Prosecutor General‘s Office into Campuzano‘s connection
with one of Colombian‘s most notorious murders, which the Office pursued despite a
previous acquittal of the charges. Fifteen former paramilitaries have been linked to the
crime and are under investigation, including Salvatore Mancuso Gómez.
General Rito Alejo del Río and “Operation Genesis”
On September 12, 2008, a preventative detention order was issued for Army
General (retired) Rito Alejo del Rio, and the Prosecutor General‘s office indicted him on
December 26, 2008, as the material author in the aggravated homicide of Marino Lopez
Mena.
On February 24, 1997, the ―Elmer Cardenas‖ paramilitary bloc entered the town of
Bijao, municipality of Riosucio (Department of Chocó) and intimidated and attacked the
residents in what came to be known as ―Operation Genesis.‖ During the operation,
Marino Lopez Mena, was allegedly beheaded. In early 2009, two former paramilitary
members – Luis Muentes Mendoza (alias, ―Vicente‖ or ―El Calvo‖) and Diego Luis
Hinestrosa Moreno (alias, ―El Abuelo‖) – pled guilty for their involvement in ―Operation
Genesis.‖ At least four other paramilitary members allegedly involved in the incident are
still under investigation.
UNCLASSIFIED