Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Monteria (Agenzia Fides) - The bishop of the Colombian city of Monteria, Mgr. Julio César Vidal, said that about 5,000 members of criminal gangs across the country are willing to surrender to authorities. "They contacted me because they want to surrender. They seek the good offices of the Church so that the government makes space for them ", said Mgr. Vidal to Efe agency. The members of Gangs believe that "their surrender would be good news and a surprise for the world, though recognizing that this is not an easy step, because everyone says we are at war, but they are working on their goal to giving themselves up", said Mgr.Vidal. Moreover, the members of these criminal groups, according to the bishop, stressed that "they are not asking for negotiations, but they want the Church to give them space to talk about surrender".
The Bishop of Monteria added: "there are about 5,000 people, and this number requires logistical preparation, the government must ensure respect for human rights: where will the surrender take place, who will welcome them, where will they go after giving themselves up...". Mgr. Vidal also said that he foresees the existence of "people and institutions in the world capable of making this a reality".
Among those who are willing to surrender are the two brothers Luis Enrique and Javier Antonio Calle Serna, known as "Los Comba", and Maximiliano Bonilla, alias "Valenciano", some of the most wanted men in Colombia, leaders of drug dealing organizations. Many of these gangs emerged after the demobilization of more than 31,000 members of the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (extreme right-wing paramilitaries), which took place between 2003 and 2006, because many of them, allied with the drug trade, continued their criminal activities.
Mgr.Vidal, who mediated at other times with the paramilitaries, also said that some drug dealers in Colombia want to surrender even if they are wanted by other countries. On these matters, the bishop said he has informed President Juan Manuel Santos, Vice President Angelino Garzon, Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera, the Commander of the Police, General Oscar Naranjo of his availability.
In an interview with Radio Caracol and Caracol TV, President Santos said that during a conversation with the Bishop of Monteria, he was told that the government is interested in this surrender of criminal gangs to justice, but warned him that the trial is jurisdiction of the Attorney General of the country. "If we can do something to facilitate this, we will be happy. But there cannot be any negotiations with these groups", the President said. (EC) (Agenzia Fides 22/06/2011)
