Interview With Colombian Paramilitary Commander

Ever Veloza, a paramilitary commander in the now-defunct United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, spoke to The Washington Post on July 26 in his cellblock at Itagui prison, just outside of Medellin, Colombia. Once the commander of two powerful militias, Veloza is now participating in special judicial proceedings in which he has confessed to hundreds of murders and outlined the role of military officers and prominent politicians in the paramilitary terror campaign that shook Colombia for a generation. Below is a partial transcript of Veloza's comments: Q: Colombian prosecutors say you are cooperating with their investigations. Why? A:"What's important is not to talk a lot, but to tell the truth." Q: You have said that businessmen helped expand the reach of Colombia's paramilitary movement. How? A:"What did we do with money we... [read full story]