Colombia is a country where corruption is
pervasive and far reaching in all levels of government. Colombia ranks eighty
third in the corruptions perceptions index. A combination of factors are the
cause for the high levels of political corruption in Colombia, of which drug
trafficking, guerrilla and paramilitary conflict, and weak institutions are
important aspects. Additionally, there are severe threats against whistle
blowers, and a weak civil society that is dispassionate and often is involved
in, or turns a blind eye towards, corruption. Actors in the Colombian
government often work like an elite cartel, acting at will and colluding with
private players and the police. They themselves have a hand in many drug
trafficking scandals, and investigations often do not lead to their punishment.
They are also granted immunity within their parties. In the public eye,
corruption is not seen as a huge enough threat owing to the fact that they are
more concerned with immediate manifestations of violence. Additionally, the
disillusioned public treat corruption such that it is almost a norm.
Three
scandals:-
1.
Colombian Parapolitics Scandal
The term parapolitics
describes the ties between the currently formally demobilized paramilitary
organization – AUC, Colombian lawmakers, and public officials. It was found in
2006 after seized computers were broken into that the politicians had signed
pacts with the paramilitary to ‘refound’ the motherland. Since them, multiple
governers have been arrested for using paramilitary intimidation to get into
elected office. There are numerous pending investigations. Chief among the many
politicians convicted was Mario Escobar, the cousin of President Uribe, and the
former President of Congress.
2.
Yidispolitics Scandal
In April 2008, ex-politician
Yidis Medina admitted to taking bribes to vote in favour of the re-election
project, which changed the constitution, allowing Alvaro Uribe Velez to become
a president for a second term. The Supreme Court found her guilty, and asked
that the Constitutional Court of Colombia review the reform that allowed him
stand for the second consecutive presidential scandal. The president held a
national referendum to legitimate his election, and then went on to accuse the
magistrates of corruption. The judges of the supreme court were then sued.
3.
Sale of Arms to Paramilitary by
the Army
In December 2015, eight army
officials (current and retired) who were involved in selling arms to
paramilitaries and trafficking drugs were arrested by the Colombian police.
They were accused of stealing weapons, ammunition, and explosives from army
barracks and selling them to groups that were revealed to have connections with
the AUC. Despite the AUC’s disbanding, successor groups continue to exist and
be supported by officials from within. The arrests were part of a larger investigation into corrupt
officials and trafficking circles which began in 2012. In March 2014, 14
members of the military, active and retired, were arrested.
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