With the trial of former Colombian army commander Gen. Rito Alejo del Río set to resume this month in Bogotá, the Archive has obtained newly-declassified evidence of the retired general’s alleged ties to illegal paramilitary groups while in charge of the 17th Brigade in Urabá. The 1998 cable—released this week in response to an Archive declassification request—reported the view of a retired Colombian military officer that Del Río was one of “the two most corrupt army officers in Colombia.”
The source also claimed that Del Río “told 17th Brigade personnel to cooperate with paramilitaries whenever Del Río was physically absent from the area.” Although the retired military officer responsible for the comments is not identified in the redacted copy, the Embassy added that it had “no reason to doubt his credibility.” (more…)
