Original article: Ante Fiscalía y la CPI: Iván Cepeda denunció penalmente a De la Espriella por financiar terrorismo con paramilitares en Colombia

Ivan Cepeda Files Criminal Complaint Against De la Espriella for Alleged Terrorism Financing with Paramilitaries in Colombia

In Colombia, presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda has filed a criminal complaint against his rival, far-right Abelardo de la Espriella, with the Attorney General’s Office and the International Criminal Court (ICC), for allegedly committing a series of crimes, including conspiracy to commit a crime, illegal financing of paramilitaries, and illicit enrichment.

«To the International Criminal Court – ICC, investigate this individual for these crimes, as he has not been adequately addressed by Colombian justice and they constitute crimes against humanity,» Cepeda stated at a press conference where he detailed his accusations against the far-right candidate.

According to various international media, some of the evidence presented by Cepeda includes: the selection of congressional candidates backed by paramilitary groups; alleged bribery in detention centers; irregular access to properties belonging to convicted paramilitary leaders; and the supposed financial contribution for the irregular appointment of former Attorney General Mario Iguarán.

Furthermore, he indicated that collected testimonies suggest that De la Espriella acted as a potential recruiter for these paramilitary structures within the activities of the Peace Initiatives Foundation, an NGO managed by the leaders of the AUC, United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, a far-right paramilitary and narcotrafficking organization that operated during the country’s armed conflict from 1997 to 2006.

Cepeda also revealed that the far-right candidate acquired a property from a relative of the narcoparamilitary known as Comandante Barbie, valued at nearly $200,000. This lot is reportedly located near a center identified as a paramilitary operation point between 1996 and 2006.

Another point of concern relates to accusations against De la Espriella made by former paramilitary Juan Carlos Sierra, alias ‘El Tuso’, for allegedly asking around one million dollars to facilitate bribes before the court in order to secure lighter sentences.

«De la Espriella played the role of both financier and funded of paramilitary groups. It remains to be clarified whether he was part of these structures,» alerting candidate Cepeda, who also called on victims to «activate their mechanisms so that this individual can appear before justice as soon as possible.»

It is important to remember that both candidates for the presidency of Colombia will face off in a second electoral round on Sunday, June 21.

We will continue to provide updates.