Álvaro Uribe denies involvement in 1990s Antioquia massacres

Álvaro Uribe paramilitary massacres Antioquia Colombian Prosecutor's Office Salvatore Mancuso

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez appeared before the Prosecutor's Office in Bogotá to provide testimony regarding several investigations into paramilitary violence in the Antioquia department during the 1990s. Uribe, who served as governor of Antioquia during the period in question, denied any involvement in the crimes, stating, “I thought I had served the nation, but today I come to say that I have not been a murderer.”

The judicial proceedings focus on four primary areas: the 1996 La Granja massacre, the 1997 El Aro massacre, the formation of a paramilitary structure in San Roque in 1996, and the 1998 murder of human rights defender Jesús María Valle Jaramillo. Prosecutors are examining whether Uribe's administration facilitated or promoted paramilitary groups through actions or omissions.

In related testimony, former paramilitary leader Salvatore Mancuso declared under oath that he has no knowledge of Uribe ordering or supporting the massacres in El Aro or La Granja. Mancuso also stated that Uribe was not present at meetings preceding the El Aro incursion. While Uribe's defense team requested a postponement of the hearing to address jurisdictional disputes and review new testimony, the Prosecutor's Office proceeded with the scheduled inquiry.

Entities

Antioquia · Fiscalía General de la Nación · Jesús María Valle Jaramillo · Salvatore Mancuso · Álvaro Uribe

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities are investigating the formation of a paramilitary structure in San Roque in September 1996. www.cablenoticias.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The investigation includes the 1996 La Granja massacre and the 1997 El Aro massacre. www.cablenoticias.com · elchamuco.com.mx · www.tvn-2.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Uribe's defense requested a postponement of the hearing to address jurisdictional issues and new testimony. elchamuco.com.mx · diariodelhuila.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Prosecutor's Office is investigating four specific cases involving Uribe's tenure as governor of Antioquia. www.cablenoticias.com · elchamuco.com.mx
[● 6 SOURCES] Álvaro Uribe denied responsibility for massacres and the murder of a human rights defender. www.cablenoticias.com · berita.rtm.gov.my · elchamuco.com.mx · noticiaslatam.lat · www.tvn-2.com · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Mancuso stated that Uribe was not present at a meeting prior to the El Aro incursion.
[● 3 SOURCES] The investigation covers the 1998 murder of human rights defender Jesús María Valle Jaramillo. www.cablenoticias.com · berita.rtm.gov.my · www.tvn-2.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Salvatore Mancuso testified that he has no knowledge of Álvaro Uribe ordering or supporting the El Aro massacre.