Why Colombia’s former army chief is facing up to 40 years in prison [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Why Colombia’s former army chief is facing up to 40 years in prison
Posted by Stephen Gill on Mar 29, 2016

Colombia’s former army commander is facing prison for a series of alleged crimes, but the one with a 40-year penalty is about his alleged complicity in the killing and promoting of killing of thousands of civilians.

One of Montoya’s colleagues, General William Torres, was arrested on Monday for his alleged complicity in the murder of numerous civilians, and Montoya is soon awaiting the same fate, the prosecution announced.

Colombia’s military began killing civilians when General Mario Montoya was still a brigade commander in Medellin. However, with his rise in the military, the National Army’s killing of civilians to increase success rates rose too.

As commander of Colombia’s National Army between 2006 and 2008, Montoya failed to take action to prevent his men from engaging in killing civilians to collect bonuses, he openly promoted the criminal practice in various divisions throughout the country, according to the prosecution.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/former-colombia-army-commander-facing-40-years-prison/

LBN:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141395855

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General Montoya, standing beside Pres. Uribe, Pres. Bush, and Sec. of Defense Santos.



Painting by Colombian artist, Fernando Botero, "The General and his Family."



General Montoya. [/center]