Infobrief - March 28, 2006

US Current Affairs and Media

• US Department of Justice Indicts 50 FARC Leaders The Department of Justice announced the indictment of 50 members of the FARC’s upper echelon of leadership last week, alleging that these members facilitated the transportation and sale of more than $25 billion of cocaine to the US and other countries. The indictment is the largest ever untaken by the Department of Justice, claiming that the indicted are responsible for more than 50% of the total amount of cocaine production in the world. Three of the indicted FARC leaders are already in custody in Colombia, and the State Department has offered a combined $75 million in rewards for the capture and extradition of the remaining 47 leaders. In an interview following the indictment announcements last week, Assistant Secretary of State Anne Patterson told Colombia’s Radio Caracol that, if requested, the US military would participate in military operations in conjunction with the Colombian government. Ms. Patterson emphasized, however, that the US would not take unilateral military action in Colombia. “The United States works in conjunction and with the full knowledge of the Colombian government, and has been doing so for decades, and we want to do whatever we can to assist him in the fight against the threat of narcotrafficking.”
• Liberal Political Advisor Disappears While Exercising in National Park Jaime Enrique Gómez, political advisor to liberal Senator Piedad Córdoba and perennial liberal presidential candidate Horatio Serpa, was abducted by armed forces while exercising in the National Park last week. Gómez, a known liberal activist, has worked extensively with Senator Córdoba and presidential candidate Horatio Serpa, both of whom have begun a campaign demanding Gómez’s safe return to his family. On the campaign’s website, www.dondeestajaime.com, Serpa reiterates that the Liberal Party “will not rest until we see the return of our companion and friend. We want him to return soon, alive and healthy, because his voice is important in the fight that we have undertaken in defense of democracy, reconciliation, and social justice.” Senator Córdoba, a vehement critic of Uribe’s presidency, is citing the disappearance of Gómez as evidence that opposition groups in Colombia are still not guaranteed safe and free participation in the political process. A member of the local police force said it would be presumptuous for him to accuse a specific group for the disappearance of Gómez, and that currently they had no proof to indicate that the abduction was one motivated by criminal means. The police have offered a reward of 20 million pesos for the safe return of Gómez.