Colombia alleged paramilitary wants to demonstrate that he is a law-abiding rancher whose only crime has been to be the brother of paramilitary commanders ‘El Aleman’ and ‘Don Mario’, newspaper El Tiempo reported Wednesday.
Jairo de Jesus Rendon Herrera, brother of ‘El Aleman’ and ‘Don Mario’ gave himself up to the US justice in July and faces drug trafficking charges at a New York court. According to the report Rendon’s lawyers are collecting testimonies from peasants in the north west of Colombia to demonstate that Rendon is a law abiding rancher who participated actively in state social welfare programs.
El Tiempo reported on November 1, 2008, that Rendon was known in Uraba as an evangelical preacher who distributed free bibles, helped the peasants in the area, and introduced himself as German Monsalve to avoid being linked to his brothers who were the paramilitaries leaders in the region.
American prosecution accuses Rendon as being a partner to his brothers in their illigal undertakings. He allegedly took part in a meeting with his brothers and some politicians, in which a political deal was cut. The report says that Rendon had participants swear on a bible that they would comply with the deal. He is also the alleged administrator of his brothers’ wealth.
‘El Aleman’ and ‘Don Mario’ are both in prison on charges of paramilitarism and drug trafficking.
