REWARD FOR DEATH SQUAD LEADER
Why has no government reward been offered to arrest reputed Colombian Death Squad Leader, Carlos Castano?
If the US Government really wants to stop right-wing death squads in Colombia, the US should offer a $3 million dollar reward for the capture of AUC leader Carlos Castano. The US should treat Carlos Castano like any other terrorist. Right-wing death squads work with the US-supported Colombian military. In Colombia, right-wing death squads have murdered labor union members, environmental and human rights activists, and indigenous people.
$3,000,000 Government Reward Needed
Trade unionists, human rights, and environmental organizations should ask the US government (President Bush) to declare Carlos Castano a War Criminal and offer a $3,000,000 or larger reward for Castano's arrest. This will help determine where the US Government stands concerning right-wing death squads in Colombia. There is growing concern that as the Colombian War expands, the Bush Administration, while utilizing Castano's private security forces against leftist opposition, will attempt to change the world-image of Castano from leader of right-wing death squads to that of Freedom Fighter against Communism. Such a move by the Bush administration could help provide Carlos Castano amnesty from prosecution for all the crimes he is alleged to have committed before. That could make it difficult to criminally prosecute and/or sue wealthy landowners and businesses proven to have supported Castano's reign of terror against the poor, unionists, and indigenous people of Colombia. Once a government reward is offered for Carlos Castano, it will become difficult for Castano to get amnesty for crimes he has allegedly committed. It will become easier for Castano's surviving victims to sue corporations and businesses proven to have supported Castano's criminal enterprises.
Please contact international labor unions, environmental and human rights organizations, and indigenous people to ask the US government to offer a $3,000,000 or larger reward for the arrest of Carlos Castano-NOW!
--Ross Regnart, researcher <lobo@iqemail.com>