(Assignment 1) Corruption in Colombia - Amrithavarshini V

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.