A prominent Colombian senator claimed Tuesday he had receiving threats after speaking out against a recently arrested governor with alleged paramilitary ties.
Earlier this month, La Guajira Governor Francisco Gomez was arrested at a local fair after prosecutors accused him of ties to paramilitary groups and homicide.
MORE: North Colombia governor arrested, accused of homicide and paramilitary ties
“The denouncement of the threats are out there but I’m not going to refer to those situations created by clowns and criminals,” said U Party Senator Armando Benedetti to local media about the purported threats.
Benedetti, a former Congress president, pointed the blame to associates of the recently disposed governor, saying “who else would bother to say those things to me?”
The threats reportedly started last week when the Senator began making a series of pronouncements against the governor.
In a statement to local media, Benedetti said, “what is happening now in relation to Guarija makes me think of the days of Pablo Escobar.”
Gomez’ arrest followed investigations from journalist and political analysts who were forced to flee the country after receiving threats.
MORE: Investigative journalist reveals all on death threats and fleeing Colombia
Sources
- Senador Armando Benedetti denuncia amenazas (Caracol Radio)
