Colombia's JEP confirms sanctions on ex‑military for 'falsos positivos' killings

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) in Colombia upheld sanctions against 12 former members of the Batallón La Popa for extrajudicial killings that were falsely reported as combat casualties in the Costa Caribe region. The court affirmed responsibility for murders and forced disappearances of 135 victims, including members of the Kankuamo, Wiwa and Wayúu indigenous groups, peasants and other vulnerable persons. As part of the restorative measures, the ex‑soldiers must build a mausoleum containing more than 700 ossuaries at the Ecce Homo cemetery in Valledupar, under the Integral Memorialization Plan for the Caribbean Coast.

In the same ruling, the JEP also confirmed criminal responsibility for seven former FARC‑EP members, sentencing them to eight years for kidnapping. Their restorative duties will involve humanitarian de‑mining, environmental care, search for the missing and other infrastructure projects.