Colombian Congress Starts Censorship Motion to Defense Minister

On Tuesday, Defense Minister Diego Molano faces a "Motion of Censure" in the Lower House and a "Political Control Debate" in the Senate for his responsibility in a military operation that left 11 Colombians dead in Puerto Leguizamo in the Putumayo department on March 28.

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Supposedly carried out against dissidents of the disappeared Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the military operation has been harshly questioned because most of the victims were innocent civilians who were taking part in a bazaar. Only one of 11 people killed in the operation was related to illicit activities.

On April 19, the Lower House approved the beginning of the censorship process. In the Senate, Molano was called to account by progressive politicians such as Antonio Sanguino (Green Alliance Party) and Ivan Cepeda (Alternative Democratic Pole).

In both chambers, however, the majority of members agree that Molano and the military leadership must leave their positions due to their responsibility in the events.

“How many murdered men, women, pregnant women, and children do you need on your resume for you to take responsibility and resign from office?,” Green Alliance lawmaker Katherine Miranda asked Molano.

So far, the President Ivan Duque's administration has failed to provide convincing explanations for what happened in "the Putumayo Massacre." The Colombian judicial authorities have also not acted with the expected speed.

"The Prosecutor's Office must proceed because there is criminal responsibility," Decency List lawmaker David Racero said, warning that if the investigations do not advance quickly, the Putumayo victims will denounce the Colombian State in international courts.