by René Lavanchy
THE Colombian general of an army unit notorious for accusations of extra-judicial executions became head of the army last week. General Oscar Peña González was appointed by President Alvaro Uribe after his predecessor, Mario Montoya, resigned earlier this month in a controversy over the shooting of innocent civilians who were allegedly disguised as guerillas killed in action.
But a 2005 United Nations human rights report found that soldiers in Mr González’ old unit, the Fourth Brigade, were widely accused of the same crimes while he was in command. The report also found evidence of “state connivance” at paramilitary killings in the brigade’s home province of Antioquia.

