The president of La Red de Veedurías de Colombia, Pablo Bustos, reported death threats allegedly coming from criminal organizations that, apparently, would be linked to the Borré Barreto brothers, known for their involvement in confessed massacres that have left more than 700 victims and 150 homicides.
Thus, the threats would seek to silence the efforts of the oversight group to judicially represent the victims of the crimes committed by these criminals.
Now you can follow us on our WhatsApp Channel and in Facebook.
According to the Network of Veedurías, They would seek to stop the judicial procedures that they have undertaken on behalf of the victims to guarantee their rights to truth, justice and reparation, both material and symbolic. In total, the rights defended by the group cover more than 1,000 victims, including families who have suffered abuse, extortion, torture and, in many cases, brutal murders.
Within the judicial context, the Barreto brothers could be released due to the expiration of terms: “The dangerous Borré Barreto brothers could be released due to the expiration of terms even having confessed to 700 crimes. That’s why, The Network insists on the application of justice for the victims and on the timely action of the Attorney General’s Officeas he has recently repeatedly requested from the judicial body so that the anti-corruption and asset forfeiture units act promptly,” said Bustos.
Despite the death threats against him, the representative of the Oversight Office insisted that the anti-corruption units, such as domain forfeiture, procedurally guarantee and ensure the appearance of the accused, pointing out possible cases of impersonation supported by forensic opinions.
On March 21, 2024, an attempt was made, for the fourth time, to hold a hearing to hear the indictment against Juan Manuel Borré Barreto, alias Pistón, and his brother Brayan Eduardo Borré Barreto, alias Tío Guillo. The brothers are accused of being two of the leaders of Los Rastrojos Costeñosa criminal gang that operates in the Colombian Caribbean.
The Attorney General’s Office has been trying to file charges against them for seven years, with the aim of charging them with the crimes of conspiracy, arms trafficking and use of minors to commit crimes since 2015. However, the judicial process has state since then in constant we will see.
Juan Manuel Borré Barreto was part of the Héroes de los Montes de María Bloc of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) from the nineties until the demobilization of the paramilitaries in 2005. However, he did not obtain the benefits of the postulates of the Justice Law and Paz, since he escaped from prison on two occasions and did not meet the necessary requirements to access these benefits.
For his part, Brayan Eduardo Borré Barreto began his criminal life at the age of thirteen, in 1997, when his brother was under the orders of Rodrigo Mercado Peluffo, alias Cadena. Under the influence and tutelage of his and Peluffo’s brother, Brayan Eduardo began illegal actions.
The influence of Rodrigo Mercado Peluffo on the criminal life of the Borré Barreto brothers was significant. Under his command in the Héroes de los Montes de María Block, the brothers acquired skills and contacts that they later used to found and lead Los Rastrojos.
Judicial processes in Colombia regarding crimes committed by criminal groups and gangs tend to be long and complex. The hearings against the brothers have been postponed on several occasions, which has generated concern among the victims and civil society clamoring for justice and reparation.
