Congress orders investigation of former ministers over Uribe reelection bribe

[Judi Lynn]

Congress orders investigation of former ministers over Uribe reelection bribe
posted by Adriaan Alsema
May 28, 2013

Colombia’s Congress on Tuesday ordered the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate two ex-ministers who are accused of having bribed congressmen to approve legislation necessary for former President Alvaro Uribe’s 2006 reelection.

According to the House of Representatives’ Accusations Commission, in charge of criminal investigations against (former) members of government, there is enough evidence to formally investigate former Interior Minister Sabas Pretelt and former Social Protection Minister Diego Palacio.

Both ministers are implicated in what in Colombia has become known as “Yidispolitica,” a scandal that involved the bribery of at least two lawmakers who, after having been promised bribes, changed their crucial votes to favor of a constitutional amendment necessary for Uribe to run for a second term in 2006.

Until the vote, Colombia’s constitution allowed a president to serve only one term.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/congress-orders-investigation-former-ministers-over-uribe-reelection-bribe/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Congress must prioritize investigating Uribe’s ‘paramilitary links’: Lawmaker

May 28, 2013
Congress must prioritize investigating Uribe’s ‘paramilitary links’: Lawmaker
posted by Johnny Crisp

Colombia’s Congress should ratify and prioritize the investigation against former President Alvaro Uribe over his support of his then-head of security, who was subsequently convicted of ties with paramilitary forces in 2012.

Congressman Ivan Cepeda, a political enemy of the former president, said Monday he will “use all his power as a congressman” to demand the investigation be given priority. Citing “the gravity of the facts,” The House Representative urged the Accusations Commission, a Congress body in charge of investigating (former) presidents accused of committing crimes during their administration, to act “as soon as possible and with a sense of urgency to determine the political responsibility” of Uribe in the case.

The investigation concerns the ex-president’s support of General Mauricio Santoyo, who was the chief of security for Uribe’s 2002 election campaign and first term as well as the former commander of an elite hostage-rescue force in Medellin when the ex-president was governor there, and who is now in jail in the US after pleading guilty to collaborating with paramilitary forces while serving public functions.

According to Cepeda, who made the initial complaint in August 2012, Santoyo was part of a “criminal structure” of officials and sub officials operating in the police force of Antioquia in the 1990s and which later moved to the presidential palace when Uribe was elected president in 2002.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-congress-alvaro-uribe-mauricio-santoyo/

[Catherina]

2. Finally. Good news and high time n/t

[ocpagu]

3. That sounds familiar...

"Both ministers are implicated in what in Colombia has become known as “Yidispolitica,” a scandal that involved the bribery of at least two lawmakers who, after having been promised bribes, changed their crucial votes to favor of a constitutional amendment necessary for Uribe to run for a second term in 2006."

I wonder if he learned that from Brazil's former president Fernando Henrique Cardoso. That's precisely what Cardoso did to run for a second term in 1998.

http://www.economist.com/node/369577

Wouldn't be surprised. Cardoso and Uribe probably have a lot in common...

Thanks for the news.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Good to learn the information on Cardoso. Didn't know. Thanks. n/t