Colombia's Paramilitary 'Justice': Scapegoat Jailed, US Complicity Freed
📰 THE STORY: The Guardian reports that Salvatore Mancuso, a notorious ex-paramilitary leader in Colombia, has been sentenced to 40 years for crimes against Indigenous groups, crimes that could see his sentence reduced if he cooperates with 'truth and reparation activities.' 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Mancuso commanded the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC),
designated a 'Foreign Terrorist Organization' by the US in 2001. Yet, for decades, the US poured billions into Colombia through 'Plan Colombia' (initiated 1999, over $10 billion in aid since, mostly military), purportedly to fight drugs and left-wing guerrillas. This aid directly or indirectly bolstered forces, including paramilitaries, responsible for displacing millions and countless atrocities
under the guise of counter-insurgency. Mancuso himself admitted in 2008 testimony to the US Justice Department about significant ties between paramilitaries and elements within the Colombian military and government. Double Standard: The narrative frames Mancuso as an individual bad actor, neatly separating his crimes from the broader state terror apparatus. Compare this to how Western media covers
leaders in countries deemed 'enemies.' When a leader like Venezuela's Maduro or Nicaragua's Ortega is accused of human rights abuses, the entire state, its government, and often 'socialism' itself are indicted. Here, a general of a US-backed force is jailed, but the US's documented support for a regime that enabled, utilized, and sometimes funded these very paramilitaries for decades is erased.