Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest news from USA, Canada and Europe directly to your inbox.

    What's Hot

    Record amount of cocaine seized in New Zealand

    February 8, 2023

    Sad news from Malatya BBSK player Mehmet Can Ağırbaş

    February 8, 2023

    The Armed Forces of Ukraine have already eliminated more than 134,000 Russian soldiers: the enemy lost 910 soldiers in 24 hours

    February 8, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    West ObserverWest Observer
    • Home
    • News
      1. United States
      2. Europe
      3. Canada
      4. Latin America
      5. Australia
      6. World
      7. View All

      Biden Cites US Resolve in Facing Aggression from Russia and China

      February 8, 2023

      Photos: Biden pitches optimism to skeptical Americans in State of the Union address

      February 8, 2023

      Latest Developments in Ukraine: Feb. 8

      February 8, 2023

      Winery’s wastewater dump in the Merced was bad for fish, and the bottom line

      February 8, 2023

      Record amount of cocaine seized in New Zealand

      February 8, 2023

      Sad news from Malatya BBSK player Mehmet Can Ağırbaş

      February 8, 2023

      The Armed Forces of Ukraine have already eliminated more than 134,000 Russian soldiers: the enemy lost 910 soldiers in 24 hours

      February 8, 2023

      Popular beach country has simplified visa rules for Russians

      February 8, 2023

      From $55 to $130: Which Canadians plan to spend the most this Valentine’s Day?

      February 8, 2023

      ‘It was a chaotic situation’: Toronto man stuck in Turkiye recounts earthquake

      February 8, 2023

      The Oscar nominee that says a lot just with its title

      February 8, 2023

      Spy balloon part of a broader Chinese military surveillance operation, U.S. intel sources tell CNN

      February 8, 2023

      In speech, Biden asks Congress to raise the top of the divide

      February 8, 2023

      LeBron James becomes the highest scorer in NBA history

      February 8, 2023

      Biden acknowledges that the discussions on policing differ racially

      February 8, 2023

      Highlights of Biden’s State of the Union speech; confirm

      February 8, 2023

      Vitamin D is innocent of asthma attacks?

      February 7, 2023

      An Indonesian band that mixes Arabic music with dangdut

      February 7, 2023

      Ice in a different way in space

      February 7, 2023

      Ghanaian Atsu was found alive under the rubble due to the earthquakes in Turkey

      February 7, 2023

      Record amount of cocaine seized in New Zealand

      February 8, 2023

      Sad news from Malatya BBSK player Mehmet Can Ağırbaş

      February 8, 2023

      The Armed Forces of Ukraine have already eliminated more than 134,000 Russian soldiers: the enemy lost 910 soldiers in 24 hours

      February 8, 2023

      Popular beach country has simplified visa rules for Russians

      February 8, 2023
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Sports
    • Travel
    • More
      • Entertainment
      • Videos
    en English
    en Englishes Españolfr Françaisde Deutschhi हिन्दीit Italianoja 日本語pt Portuguêsru Русскийzh-CN 简体中文
    West ObserverWest Observer
    Home » Who is Iván Velásquez the new Minister of Defense of Petro for Colombia?

    Who is Iván Velásquez the new Minister of Defense of Petro for Colombia?

    July 23, 2022No Comments Europe
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    (CNN Spanish) — Iván Velásquez Gómez, noted for his long history of fighting corruption in Colombia and Guatemala, will be the Minister of Defense of the Government of Gustavo Petro which will assume this August 7.

    Velásquez has the challenge of removing the National Police from the Ministry of Defense, as proposes the president-electso that it becomes a civil body and forms part of the Ministry of Justice or the Interior.

    Velásquez, born in Medellín in 1955 and a lawyer from the University of Antioquia, has a long history in the Colombian judicial system and as a commissioner of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala.

    The investigations against Pablo Escobar in Medellín

    He came to prominence in the 1990s as a prosecutor for Antioquia, in northwestern Colombia, an area that was the epicenter of unrestrained violence by drug trafficker Pablo Escobar and his criminal organization, the Medellín cartel. In that position, he led investigations against Escobar and managed to collect evidence that triggered the biggest security crisis in Colombia during the presidency of César Gaviria, by showing that the prison where the famous capo was confined was a place full of luxury, violence, sex and corruption.

    After Escobar’s escape from La Catedral prison in 1992, Velásquez had the task of trying to manage the drug trafficker’s handover through a meeting with the capo’s wife. The meeting unleashed threats and persecution against him.

    Then, in 1997, as regional director of the Medellín Prosecutor’s Office, he began a frontal fight against the so-called Colombian self-defense groups, criminal paramilitary groups dedicated to persecuting guerrilla groups. Velásquez exposed the link between the self-defense groups and various political figures. This investigation only increased the threats and even put a price on his head.

    Convictions for paramilitarism

    But it was not until 2007, when he was working as an assistant magistrate of the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Colombia, that the name of Iván Velásquez filled the front pages of Colombian newspapers. The then president Álvaro Uribe Vélez named him as the investigator of the famous “parapolitics” case, in which Uribe was accused of having paramilitary ties. President Uribe denied these accusations and said that Velásquez was fabricating evidence against him, facts that were never proven. The president was never formally charged.

    Gustavo Petro, today president-elect, was one of the congressmen who gave the issue of parapolitics the most visibility in the first decade of the century and has known Velásquez ever since.

    Velásquez remained at the forefront of the investigation and, together with his team, obtained the conviction of more than 50 Colombian congressmen for their relations with paramilitarism. One of those arrested was Mario Uribe, cousin of now former President Uribe, who also denied the charges.

    With this case Velásquez became an uncomfortable figure for power. Even months later, the Colombian authorities confirmed that, during the Uribe presidency, Velásquez had been spied on by the former National Intelligence Directorate of Colombia, DAS, for its acronym. Several people went to jail for this crime.

    Surrounded by threats and persecution, Velásquez resigned from his position in 2012.

    Fight against corruption in Guatemala

    Velásquez left Colombia in 2013. At that time it was thought that it would be the end of his public career, but shortly after he reappeared in Guatemala and with the approval of the UN, he was appointed commissioner of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, CICIG . In just two years at the head of the organization, Velásquez dismantled the million-dollar customs fraud network that ended with the resignation and imprisonment of then-President Otto Pérez Molina and former Vice President Roxana Baldetti.

    Former Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales opposed Velásquez’s work and in 2017 declared him persona non grata and called for his immediate expulsion.

    Velásquez has also been critical of the Alejandro Giammattei administration. In 2021 he said that the president’s commitment to US Vice President Kamala Harris to fight corruption “is not a sincere commitment” and that corrupt power was extended in the government.

    “The fight against impunity and corruption cannot consider ideologies or political colors or affinities of any kind,” says the Twitter biography of Velásquez, who will be in charge of a key portfolio of the Gustavo Petro government.

    With information from Kay Guerrero



    Source: CNN Espanol

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte WhatsApp

    Related Posts

    Record amount of cocaine seized in New Zealand

    February 8, 2023

    Sad news from Malatya BBSK player Mehmet Can Ağırbaş

    February 8, 2023

    The Armed Forces of Ukraine have already eliminated more than 134,000 Russian soldiers: the enemy lost 910 soldiers in 24 hours

    February 8, 2023

    Popular beach country has simplified visa rules for Russians

    February 8, 2023

    Why the earthquake in Turkey and Syria is one of the deadliest of this century?

    February 8, 2023

    Cruciate ligament injuries among soccer players: “You lock yourself in and shed a few tears. You have to be mentally strong.”

    February 8, 2023
    Don't Miss

    The Armed Forces of Ukraine have already eliminated more than 134,000 Russian soldiers: the enemy lost 910 soldiers in 24 hours

    Europe February 8, 2023

    One enemy anti-aircraft system was destroyed.From February 24, 2022 to February 8, 2023, the Armed…

    Popular beach country has simplified visa rules for Russians

    February 8, 2023

    Death toll from Turkey and Syria earthquakes nears 8,000

    February 8, 2023

    Lea Michele Says She Reached Out to ‘Glee’ Co-Stars After Backlash

    February 8, 2023
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Our Picks

    Apple's retail staff is reportedly testing its 'buy now, pay later' service

    February 8, 2023

    From $55 to $130: Which Canadians plan to spend the most this Valentine’s Day?

    February 8, 2023

    Live updates: The latest on the deadly Turkey-Syria earthquake

    February 8, 2023

    Quiz: Can you name Wales’ Murrayfield try scorers?

    February 8, 2023

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest news from USA, Canada and Europe directly to your inbox.

    About Us
    About Us

    Your #1 source for all the website news, follow USA, Europe and Canada News. Latest reports about business, politics and entertainment.

    We're accepting new partnerships right now.

    Email Us: [email protected]

    Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
    Our Picks

    Record amount of cocaine seized in New Zealand

    February 8, 2023

    Sad news from Malatya BBSK player Mehmet Can Ağırbaş

    February 8, 2023

    The Armed Forces of Ukraine have already eliminated more than 134,000 Russian soldiers: the enemy lost 910 soldiers in 24 hours

    February 8, 2023
    Newsletter

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest news from USA, Canada and Europe directly to your inbox.

    © 2023 West Observer. All Rights Reserved.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Contact
    • Khaleej Voice

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.