Figures such as Don Berna, HH and Jorge 40 will participate in technical tables with the Government.
News Colombia.
The Colombian Government has appointed 18 former paramilitary leaders of the defunct United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) as peace managers, including prominent figures such as Diego Fernando Murillo Bejarano, alias “Don Berna”; Hernán Giraldo Serna; Rodrigo Tovar Pupo, alias “Jorge 40”; and Hebert Veloza, alias “HH”.
This appointment seeks to contribute to the development of technical tables in which these former leaders will share their knowledge and experience to advance in the construction of peace and in the design of guarantees of non-repetition of violence.
According to the resolution issued by President Gustavo Petro, these managers will work on structuring peace processes and formulating rapprochement strategies with illegal armed actors, in an attempt to consolidate a peace model that guarantees true reconciliation.
This process is carried out after meetings between the office of the Peace Commissioner Counselor and the former paramilitary leaders between the years 2023 and 2024.
The context of the designation and the initiative of the Petro Government
The decision to include these former paramilitary leaders as peace managers arises within the framework of the review of the peace process promoted during the government of former President Álvaro Uribe with the AUC.
At a recent event in Montería, Córdoba, President Gustavo Petro addressed former leader Salvatore Mancuso, signaling the intention to resume and conclude a peace process that “had been interrupted.”
“The process has not ended, the assets have not been delivered to the victims that you handed over to justice,” Petro stated at said event. In making this announcement, the president indicated that the review will include the establishment of technical tables with the former heads of the AUC to strengthen a commitment to truth, justice and reparation, which this time, in the words of the president, “will be without betrayal and without fear.” to the truth.”
Mission of the new Peace Managers
According to the presidential resolution, these 18 former leaders of the Self-Defense Forces will become peace managers for an initial period of six months.
Among the names included in the document are also Ramón María Isaza Arango, Arnubio Triana Mahecha, Héctor José Buitrago Rodríguez, Ramiro Vanoy Murillo, Luis Eduardo Cifuentes Galindo, Manuel de Jesús Pirabán, and Juan Francisco Prada Márquez, among others.
These managers will have the mission of actively contributing to activities that favor the construction of peace and the development of a model that prevents the repetition of acts of violence in the country.
Your participation in these technical tables will be aimed at discussing the structuring of pacification strategies with illegal armed actors, as well as collaborating in the design of programs that promote reconciliation and social justice in Colombia. Something that has generated great controversy in the country.
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