2024-09-18 05:40:24
Montoya, who commanded the Army’s Fourth Brigade between 2001 and 2006, will be questioned about events that occurred during his command, in particular the military operations carried out in Commune 13.
The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) summoned retired general Mario Montoya Uribe on Monday to give a voluntary statement on his alleged participation in crimes committed in Commune 13 of Medellín between 2001 and 2003. The summons is part of Case 08, which investigates human rights violations during the Colombian armed conflict, involving state agents, paramilitary groups and civilians.
Montoya, who commanded the Army’s Fourth Brigade from 2001 to 2006, will be questioned about events that occurred during his command, in particular the military operations carried out in Comuna 13, which resulted in serious allegations of extrajudicial executions, forced displacement and other human rights violations.
Operation Orion
Operation Orion, carried out between October 16 and 17, 2002, is one of the most emblematic episodes that the JEP will investigate. It was the largest military intervention in an urban area during the Colombian armed conflict, and was agreed upon between the National Government and the Mayor’s Office of Medellín to regain control of neighborhoods dominated by guerrillas and illegal armed groups. According to Montoya, this operation was directed against the guerrillas, illegal self-defense groups, and common criminals.
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However, Operation Orion left a dark legacy. Various human rights organizations, such as the Corporación Jurídica Libertad and the Centro de Fe y Culturas, have denounced that state forces, in collaboration with paramilitaries, committed serious abuses, including arbitrary detentions, disappearances and extrajudicial executions. These reports, together with the documentation presented by the Attorney General’s Office, support Montoya’s subpoena.
Search for the truth
The JEP’s Truth Recognition Chamber issued the order for the summons, seeking to clarify the truth behind the crimes that occurred in Commune 13. Montoya will be able to accept or reject the charges against him during his appearance. The summons responds to one of the fundamental pillars of the peace process: the search for truth and responsibility for the events of the armed conflict.
This process is crucial for the victims of Comuna 13, who have spent more than two decades seeking justice and reparation for crimes committed during military operations. Expectations are focused on the revelations that may emerge during the appearance of the former general, which could shed light on one of the most painful episodes in the recent history of Medellín.
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