Press statement by State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher on indictment of Colombian paramilitaries, September 24, 2002

Press statement by State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher on indictment of Colombian paramilitaries, September 24, 2002
Press Statement
Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
September 24, 2002

U.S. Indictment of Colombian Paramilitaries

We welcome the indictment of three paramilitary narco-terrorists, announced today by the U.S. Department of Justice. The indictment unsealed today is clear evidence of the depth of United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) involvement in virtually every stage of the drug business.

We will now see if paramilitary leader Carlos Castano will stand by his word and surrender to the appropriate authorities.

Like its counterparts the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia practices indefensible, illegitimate acts of terror. Last year Secretary of State Powell designated the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and this indictment also illustrates the clear nexus between the narcotics trade and terrorism.

Colombian President Uribe has publicly stated that the Colombian authorities will pursue all criminals and human rights abusers who threaten the security of the Colombian people, including the illegal armed groups involved in the drug trade. We support President Uribe’s commitment to take aggressive action against all three of Colombia’s major illegal armed groups, and we will continue to work closely with the Uribe Administration to defend Colombia’s democracy and human rights by bringing peace, security and prosperity to the Colombian people.

As of October 2, 2002, this document was also available online at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2002/13652.htm