One of Colombia's mysteries has finally been resolved: A body found in a shallow grave is that of Carlos Castano, the founder of the terrorist paramilitary group the AUC. His brother Vicente is suspected in his murder.
Why is it believed that Castano was killed?
Jesus Ignacio Roldan, Vicente Castaño's former bodyguard, told authorities his boss ordered the hit because he and other paramilitary leaders were worried that Carlos was about to give incriminating information to U.S. authorities on the militias' drug-trafficking activities.
Roldan led authorities last week to a shallow grave near Carlos Castaño's ranch in Valencia, in the northwestern state of Cordoba. Preliminary forensic findings indicate that the remains buried there are probably those of the missing militia leader, according to various news reports.
Adam Isacson has more on the drug trafficking aspects of the AUC here. These are the sorts of people that Uribe made his deals with. Only time will tell if it works and if both sides stick to the rules.
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