The Colombian Procuraduría has opened an official inquiry into four former government officials following the release of audio recordings detailing alleged clandestine negotiations with the Clan del Golfo. The investigation targets former High Commissioner for Peace Danilo Rueda, former Minister of Defense Iván Velásquez, former Director of the DNI Jorge Lemus, and Ricardo Rosanía, jefe de contrainteligencia. The recordings, which date back to September 2, 2022, suggest the government offered to remove intelligence officers, suspend military bombings, and halt extradition requests for criminal leadership in exchange for integration into the “total peace” initiative.
Did You Know? The term “los congelados,” or “the frozen ones,” refers to a strategy discussed in the recordings where military and police forces were allegedly expected to halt combat operations in areas controlled by the Clan del Golfo to facilitate peace talks.
What are the allegations against the former officials?
According to the recordings, government representatives allegedly discussed a “purging” of the Police to remove investigators tracking the criminal group. The discussions, which occurred less than a month after the administration took office, centered on a “frozen” operations pact. In an exchange between Danilo Rueda and a representative known as “Bruno” or “Jerónimo,” Rueda suggested that by keeping the Army and Police “frozen,” both sides could avoid conflict. When asked to remove special forces from the group’s operational areas, Rueda reportedly replied that the government was already working on that request.
How is the Procuraduría investigating the case?
The Procuraduría has launched a multi-pronged evidentiary process to verify the claims. The agency has requested official certifications from the Ministry of Defense, the Consejería de Paz, and the DNI regarding leadership personnel since August 2022. Additionally, investigators have sought reports on all formal negotiation processes with the Clan del Golfo between 2022 and 2026, as well as documentation on military bombings and requests to lift arrest warrants for the group’s leadership. The inquiry also includes a subpoena for a sworn statement from the former director of the Police, General (r) Henry Sanabria.
What are the potential consequences of this inquiry?
The inquiry could lead to significant administrative or legal repercussions if the findings confirm that officials bypassed constitutional duties to favor an armed group. By requesting analysis from external entities like Human Rights Watch and the Fundación Ideas para la Paz, the Procuraduría aims to place these recordings within the broader context of the “total peace” strategy. A possible next step involves the assessment of whether these alleged concessions violated the legal mandate of the Fuerza Pública, which could result in further disciplinary actions against the named former officials.
Expert Insight: The inclusion of high-ranking officials in this inquiry signals a rigorous effort to determine if “total peace” negotiation tactics crossed the line into operational interference. If proven, the coordination to “freeze” state forces would represent a major departure from standard security protocols, potentially undermining the autonomy of intelligence agencies and the military in their efforts to combat organized crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is under investigation?
The Procuraduría is investigating former Minister of Defense Iván Velásquez, former High Commissioner for Peace Danilo Rueda, former DNI director Jorge Lemus, and Ricardo Rosanía, jefe de contrainteligencia.
What was the “pact of the frozen ones”?
It was a clandestine strategy discussed by Danilo Rueda to pause combat actions by the Army and Police in areas controlled by the Clan del Golfo, a move characterized as a violation of the constitutional order of the Public Force.
What specific actions is the Procuraduría taking to gather evidence?
The agency is collecting certifications of leadership, formal negotiation reports, records of requests to lift capture orders, and sworn testimony from former police leadership, alongside commissioning specialized research into public declarations made by the involved parties.
How do these revelations alter public perception of the government’s security strategy in conflict-affected regions?
