The US sanctions three former Colombian soldiers for “serious human rights violations”

The US State Department sanctioned a retired general and two colonels on Thursday for participating in “serious human rights violations” during the armed conflict in Colombia.

These are former colonels Publio Hernán Mejía Gutiérrez and Juan Carlos Figueroa Suárez, both former members of the La Popa Battalion, and former General Iván Ramírez Quintero, former Intelligence Commander of the Charry Solano Battalion, of the XIII Army Brigade, who will not be able to enter the country American, like five of his relatives.

“Today, we are taking steps to promote the accountability of three former Colombian officials,” says the release signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The US reiterated its support for the Colombian Peace Agreement signed in 2016, thus giving a boost to the Colombian transitional justice system, explaining that “it is based on various institutions” that “promote justice and accountability.” In particular, he highlighted the work of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), which “works to end impunity for crimes related to the conflict.”

Precisely, the three retired ex-officials have not fully cooperated with the JEP. Former general Ramírez was rejected by this jurisdiction for not providing information on the seizure of the Palace of Justice in 1985. His file includes forced disappearances.

Mejía was indicted by the JEP for war crimes and crimes against humanity, he is accused of presenting “false positives.” His successor, Colonel Juan Carlos Figueroa, is also indicated by the jurisdiction as the person most responsible for “false positives” when he served as commander of the La Popa Battalion, in Valledupar, department of Cesar.

Secretary Blinken assuredvia Twitter, that the decision “reinforces our long-standing support for the 2016 Colombia Peace Agreement and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.”

The United States also congratulated the JEP for its “vital work” in supporting the victims and survivors of the conflict.

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