Colombia’s ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Mario Montoya, faces further accusations of having ties with paramilitary groups and drug traffickers.
The accusations were made by ex-paramilitary Libardo Duarte, alias “Ban Ban,” in an interview with W Radio. Ban Ban claimed that Carlos Castaño, former boss of the paramilitary coalition AUC, had connections with Montoya, and that due to these connections Juan Carlos Sierra, alias “El Tuso,” was able to move around freely.
El Tuso was extradited to the U.S. on drug trafficking charges and is alleged to have ties with former Senator Mario Uribe.
Ban Ban stated that drug traffickers paid Castaño to be named as paramilitaries and thus take part in the paramilitary demobilization process under the Justice and Peace law. El Tuso was selected to participate in this process despite his role in drug trafficking.
According to Ban Ban the AUC was able to function as a powerful group due to support from Colombian “military, politicians, entrepreneurs and farmers.”
He said that at the AUC he was in charge of financing politicians. He allegedly paid former politicians Erik Morris, Alvaro Garcia, Luis Eduardo Vives and Dieff Maloff.
Montaya has been accused multiple times of having paramilitary ties.
