By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
BOGOTA, Colombia—Former president of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, has been subpoenaed to testify in U.S. federal court against Drummond, an Alabama-based coal company. It is claimed that Drummond helped right-wing paramilitaries in their activities, including the murders of at least 116 people. It is believed that Uribe’s testimony will provide details about significant matters relevant to the civil case.
About 500 plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that Drummond aided the Colombian Army and the United Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC paramilitaries) in their fight against left-wing guerrillas. The plaintiffs are speaking out on behalf of numerous relatives whom they say were murdered by the AUC during the years 1999 to 2005. They are demanding compensation from Drummond for the harm done by this violence.
Terry Collingsworth, the plaintiffs’ attorney, said Uribe will be questioned about the connection between his Army at the time and the AUC, including what knowledge Uribe’s government had about Drummond’s operations.
Plaintiffs claim that Uribe “has direct knowledge of a number of key cases, including until what point the armed forces supported the paramilitary protection of mining properties of Drummond.” Collingsworth added that one of Uribe’s aides was also working for Drummond during the time period of interest. Uribe “knows the levels of cooperation between the armed forces and the AUC, specifically in regions like Cesar where Drummond was active,” the lawyer explained.
Drummond’s alleged cooperation with paramilitaries is not the only instance of its kind. Three years ago, Chiquita, a banana company, said they paid $1.7 million to guerilla fighters; in 2001, Coca-Cola was accused of similar connections.
Uribe was president of Colombia from 2002 to 2010. He is expected to testify in Washington D.C. on November 22 of this year; however, Uribe has not announced whether he will actually show up for the hearing. The former president is now employed by Georgetown University in Washington D.C. teaching classes.
For more information, please see:
Miami Herald-Colombia’s ex-leader Alvaro Uribe subpoenaed in U.S. federal court-5 November 2010
Inside Costa Rica-Colombian’s Former President Uribe Summoned to Testify on Killings-5 November 2010
Colombia Reports-Uribe ordered to testify in Drummond case-4 November 2010
