OFF THE CUFF: Another ex-leader claims political persecution

ALVARO URIBE, Colombia senator and former president of the country (2002-2010), has mimicked his former ally, Ricardo Martinelli in alleging “political persecution” over wiretapping allegations.

His former spy boss María del Pilar Hurtado  a key witness in Colombia’s wiretapping scandal, with allegations that she reported directly to him is safely back in  Bogota   after over three years hiding in Panama as an asylum seeker.

 Uribe told Caracol Radio on Saturday, January 31, that her return was clear political persecution by current President Juan Manuel Santos and sectors concerned with the guerrillas and extreme leftist sectors penetrating justice, according to the Saturday newspaper El Tiempo.

Uribe, and his  inner circle have launched what could be called  preemptive strikes with a video on Youtube and Twitter  messages, claiming judidical  pressure on María del Pilar Hurtado. in his Twiter account. Those who have been following the Ricardo Martinelli saga, will recognize the message

“Iván Cepeda, confessed leader of FARC, pressed tfor  justice, this time against MdelPHurtado” trilled Uribe.

Hurtado was delivered to the Colombian prosecutor at dawn on Saturday in Panama.

The Supreme Court  must determine whether the closest collaborators of the government of Alvaro Uribe took responsibility for surveillance, wiretapping and defamation orchestrated the DAS against the opposition.

Although the Supreme Court is poised to deliver a verdict on these facts – the reason Hurtado cannot get benefits of an eventual collaboration- her victims expect the ex-functionary to tell the country who ordered the wiretapping of journalists, human rights defenders, politicians and Court judges.

Hurtado is facing charges of aggravated conspiracy, unlawful violation of communications, abuse of public office, embezzlement by appropriation and misrepresentation. All of which will have a familiar ring for Panamanian citizens.