Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY

A12 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 12 June 2019

Colombia ex-rebel, wanted in US, sworn in as congressman

By CHRISTINE ARMARIO ing. But the Special Peace
Associated press Jurisdiction ruled there
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — wasn’t provided sufficient
A former Colombian rebel evidence to draw a con-
leader wanted in the U.S. clusion.
on drug charges was sworn Santrich was briefly re-
into office as a congress- leased but then detained
man on Tuesday in a case again as part of a new in-
that has riled detractors of vestigation based on addi-
the still-fragile peace ac- tional information provided
cord with leftist rebels that by U.S. authorities. The Su-
ended decades of conflict. preme Court ordered him
Seuxis Hernandez took an freed a second time since,
oath pledging to uphold as a lawmaker, Santrich
Colombia’s constitution in has limited immunity and
a simple ceremony held only the highest court can
inside an office at the leg- rule on his case.
islature. The son of two school
“I promise,” he said, lifting teachers, Santrich joined
one hand while the other a local youth communist
grasped onto a walking group as a student and
stick the blind rebel ideolo- entered the guerrilla move-
gist uses to get around. ment in his early 20s. He
The oath caps a turbulent Former FARC rebel Jesus Santrich talks to journalists after swearing in to take his congressional gradually rose through the
month that has renewed seat in Bogota, Colombia, Tuesday, June 11, 2019. rebel ranks to eventually
debate in Colombia over Associated Press join the central high com-
the peace accord’s stip- year to one of 10 seats in have dreamed of.” “How can a country ac- mand. He was one of the
ulations for prosecuting Congress guaranteed to President Ivan Duque was cept allowing someone first rebels to bet on peace,
rebel crimes. The man best former rebels as part of the elected to office on a plat- clearly accused of partici- traveling to Norway’s capi-
known by his alias, Jesus peace deal. Members of form promising to reform pating in drug trafficking to tal in 2012 to kick of nego-
Santrich, has been twice Congress have limited im- aspects of the 2016 accord take the oath of office?” tiations with Colombia’s
released from jail in recent munity from prosecution. and called on the inspec- Duque asked. government and then par-
weeks after two courts or- “I appreciate everyone tor general to suspend the Under the accord, rebels ticipating in talks that con-
dered him freed despite a who has raised their voices swearing-in. He said recent who lay down their weap- tinued the next four years
U.S. drug warrant seeking to make the final accord evidence revealed after ons and confess crimes are in Cuba, where he earned
his extradition. agreed to in Havana a re- the Special Peace Jurisdic- spared jail time and extra- a reputation as being a
While Santrich remains un- ality,” Santrich said after tion ordered Santrich freed dition, but aren’t protected hardliner. Santrich was ar-
der investigation, he was taking the oath. He asked supports U.S. claims that he for crimes committed after rested last April, shortly af-
allowed to take office after detractors not to, “insist on conspired to ship 10 tons the signing. U.S. authorities ter the legislative election.
a commission upheld the shredding to pieces the of cocaine even after the claim the alleged crimes He has denied the charges
validity of his election last reconciliation Colombians peace deal was signed. took place after the sign- against him.q

Nicaragua officials release more prisoners after crackdown

By GABRIELA SELSER ment that 56 people were social media regardless.”
Associated Press freed Tuesday and that the Noé Ubau, cousin of Pine-
MANAGUA, Nicaragua International Committee of da Ubau, said the two 100%
(AP) — Principal leaders of the Red Cross accompa- Noticias staffers had left
protests against President nied them to their homes. prison early Tuesday. Ubau
Daniel Ortega’s govern- Fifty others were released was the station’s spokes-
ment and two prominent the previous day, and the woman, and Mora its di-
journalists were freed from Civic Alliance opposition rector, before it was raided
prison Tuesday ahead of a group estimated that the and shuttered in Decem-
June 18 deadline to release number behind bars is now ber.
the last of hundreds of peo- around 80, down from hun- Pineda said she would trav-
ple the opposition consid- dreds previously. el to Costa Rica where her
ers political prisoners. Defense attorney Julio family lives. Tens of thou-
Neighbors and friends Montenegro demanded sands of Nicaraguans fled
gathered to receive the the government free all to exile during the unrest,
newly freed activists with Edwin Carcache, fourth from left, poses with family and friends remaining “because none many of those to neighbor-
Nicaraguan flags, blue and after being freed from prison, in Managua, Nicaragua, Tuesday, of the political prisoners is ing Costa Rica.
white balloons and cheers. June11, 2019. guilty of a crime.” Irlanda Jerez, another per-
Videos circulated online Associated Press Tuesday’s releases came son freed Tuesday, alleged
showing rural movement people detained since last in February, though those as a surprise, with no prior that armed men attacked
leaders Medardo Mairena year for their role in the pro- talks later stalled with lit- word from the government, her home and beat her
and Pedro Mena, student tests under an agreement tle progress on reaching he added. husband minutes after her
leader Edwin Carcache meant to ease the coun- agreement, in part over “It was to prevent there be- release, but could not say
and 100% Noticias journal- try’s political standoff. opposition demands that ing a media presence at who. The Organization of
ists Miguel Mora and Lucía The government has been all jailed government op- the releases and to avoid American States and the
Pineda Ubau. gradually releasing prison- ponents be freed and having people’s excite- Inter-American Commis-
The releases came amid a ers since dialogue between cleared of charges. ment be seen,” Montene- sion on Human Rights cel-
broader move to set free the two sides reopened Authorities said in a state- gro said. “But that all got to ebrated the releases..q