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Published On: Wed, Feb 19th, 2014

Restoring faith in Colombia`s military

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How can we rebuild trust in Colombia`s military?

How to repair a reputation trashed by corruption, illegal espionage, and extra-judiciary civilian killings?

Two major scandals in less than a week have forced Santos to sack his military top brass and promise a purge of the bad apples in the lower ranks.

But this is unlikely to arrest the decline in the institution`s standing.

The scale of alleged recent wrongdoing means many are beginning to lose faith in those who are supposed to protect the nation.

During the Uribe years the military stood accused of ordering the murder of civilians, later disguising them as FARC guerrillas to massage the kill count. Around 4,000 innocents ended their lives as so called “false positives”.

Now some of those implicated in this atrocity are alleged to be involved in a corruption ring responsible for embezzling millions of dollars in dodgy defence contracts.

But it doesn`t stop there. In what looks like a throw back to the “chuzadas” scandal – again during the Uribe years – reports have emerged of the army`s targeted spying of opposition politicians, and the government`s own FARC peace talks delegation.

“Watergate was child´s play in comparison” said journalist Daniel Coronell of the “chuzadas” scandal in which DAS (the then security service) systematically wiretapped opponents, human rights activists, the media, judges, and even the government itself.

But Santos has tried to brush “Chuzadas 2″ under the carpet, first appearing to condemn “dark forces” and then arguing that the military were acting within the boundaries of the law.

Either way, the episode plays disastrously in the court of public opinion.

So what can be done? How to restore the military`s standing?

A nation cannot prosper if its citizens have no faith in their public institutions. Colombia Politics instinctively supports the role of military and we salute the many heroes who risk their today for our tomorrow.

Look, if post-conflict Colombia is to work we need the military on side. We desperately need a plan from Defence Minister Pinzon.

If there is widespread corruption what are you going to do about it Mr Pinzon, what are the mechanisms for ensuring accountability, where are your reforms?

Ok, so your boss has booted out six generals and replaced the Army`s Commander General, Leonardo Barrero. But that won`t cut it.

Pinzon and Santos face trouble on all sides.

Voices warn of military discontent with the Havana peace talks, and of the demoralizing thought of impunity for the guerrillas responsible for the loss of so many of their fellow soldiers` lives.

Opponents of Santos too say that the president is being strong-armed by the FARC into weakening and discrediting the military.

Colombians themselves are about to go to the polls and will not elect a commander in chief both at odds with the military and unable to control the troops.

So, Mr Pinzon had better pull his finger out.

Santos, a celebrated defence minister in Uribe`s government handed over the brief to his chief of staff, Pinzon when he walked into the presidential palace.

Yet neither Santos nor Pinzon appear to accept a jot of responsibility for the scandals. Maybe Colombians will lose faith in them too.

Picture, ADN

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