27 members of the Army who operated in Huila between 2005 and 2008 admitted before the Recognition Chamber of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) their participation in ‘false positives’.
The military accepted plans to display homicides committed in simulated combat, with the intention of creating a false sense of security in the civilian population and obtain professional benefits and greater institutional legitimacy.
Among the soldiers who accepted were Orlando Pico Rivera and Ricardo Andrés López García, former commanders of the Infantry Battalion No. 26 ‘Cacique Pigoanza’ (BIPIG), and Leonardo Ayala Remolina, former commander of the Urban Special Forces Group No. 11 (AFEUR 11), attached to the IX Brigade. Furthermore, senior staff officers of BIPIG and BIMAG recognized their responsibility.
In the framework of Case 03, which investigates the so-called ‘false positives’, tMajors, three captains and six non-commissioned officers, along with professional soldiers, accepted their participation in the commission of 200 murders, 32 forced disappearances and eight attempted homicides.
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They did not accept
Despite overwhelming testimonial and documentary evidence, some major generals and generals did not acknowledge responsibility.
“Despite the extensive testimonial evidence and military documents verified by the Recognition Room, Major Generals (r) Édgar Alberto Rodríguez Sánchez and Marcos Evangelista Pinto Lizarazo, as well as Major General Miguel Ernesto Pérez Guarnizo, General Jaime Alfonso Lasprilla Villamizar and Brigadier General William Fernando Pérez Laiseca stated that they do not recognize responsibility.
For their part, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Yair Salamanca Robles and Major Ángel Fernando Carvajal Rojas have until February 2 to report whether or not they recognize responsibility. And, in the case of Major Félix Juan Carlos Araque, he has until February 5 to file his response,” stated the JEP.
Once the deadline set by the Recognition Chamber expires, the Truth Recognition Hearing will be scheduled, where those appearing will publicly refer to the facts and conduct recorded in the indictment order. Those who did not acknowledge responsibility will face the adversarial process, through the Investigation and Accusation Unit (UIA) of the JEP. If found guilty, they could face sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
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