Latin América
Colombia:
Unfair Decision Against Piedad Córdoba
By Carlos Quintanilla
Colombian Senator, Piedad Córdoba, was banned from public office on September 27 for 18 years because of her alleged ties to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). FARC is regarded as a terrorist organization by Colombia, the United States and Europe.
Córdoba is also a peace activist, and is the leader of the civil society group “Colombians for Peace,”
She helped to negotiate the release of several FARC hostages two years ago. But Colombian Inspector General, Alejandro Ordónez, (appointed by the Attorney General’s Office) said there was clear evidence she had exceeded her role as mediator by giving the rebels political advice.
The Colombian Attorney General’s Office considers the allegations proven, declaring that the controversial senator “promoted and collaborated with the guerrilla group.”
Ordónez argues that the evidence against Senator Córdoba came from the computer files of FARC leader Raúl Reyes, who was killed in 2008.
However, Senator Córdoba says she is innocent and has asked the Colombian Congress to appoint an ad hoc prosecutor in her case, explaining that she has no guarantee of impartiality under Ordónez.
Córdoba has repeatedly said that this persecution by the Inspector General was his response to official policy of the United States and the Colombian conservative sector, solely in retaliation for her offense of thinking differently.
The liberal senator has said that she is “not finished politically,” after the unfair decision that removed her from Congress and banned her from holding public office for 18 years.
Córdoba, born January 25, 1955, served for four terms 1994 to 2010 in the Colombian Senate, and has promised that she will continue fighting for peace in her country.
Carlos Quintanilla produces and hosts KPFK’s Spanish Language News Program “Noticiero Pacífica,” which is broadcast over 90.7 FM on Wednesdays at 10:30 PM. Noticiero Pacífica is the only independent news program in the Los Angeles area focusing on Latin American issues. P. O. Box 761475, Los Angeles, CA 90076. E-mail:<notipaci@hotmail.com>
