Colombia’s prison agency, Inpec, has sounded the alarm about a troubling trend: criminal groups are infiltrating the lists of those seeking benefits from Colombia’s peace agreements with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC dissidents known as the Second Marquetalia.
Inpec documents reveal that names on government-provided lists include individuals with no affiliation to the rebel groups. These alleged infiltrators range from highway robbers and kidnappers to members of paramilitary outfits like the Border Commands.
The most concerning example is John Mario Hortúa Grisales, alias “Pinocho,” a leader of the R15 criminal organization. Despite his death in prison under suspicious circumstances, “Pinocho” was inexplicably included on a list of supposed ELN members.
The infiltration extends to the Second Marquetalia agreements as well. Here, the inclusion of Giovanny Andrés Rojas, a paramilitary leader, raises red flags. Rojas reportedly leads a group of around 800 seeking to leverage the agreements for political gain through an alliance with the dissidents.
In total, an estimated 800 individuals, primarily ex-paramilitaries, dissidents, and common criminals, could potentially benefit from the peace deals if these infiltrations go unchecked.
The Inpec resolution linked to the suspicious lists mentions facilitating transfers for certain inmates under the guise of security, family reunification, and promoting conditions for peace talks. However, the true motives behind these transfers remain under investigation.
The discovery of these infiltrators casts a shadow over Colombia’s fragile peace process. It highlights the complexities of navigating agreements while ensuring genuine participation from those seeking to lay down arms. Inpec’s vigilance in uncovering this scheme underscores the importance of robust vetting procedures to prevent criminal elements from exploiting opportunities meant for genuine reconciliation.