BOGOTA, 4 Oct. The Colombian government has apologized to the families of the people who were killed by the country's military between 2004 and 2008 and passed off as those killed in militant shootouts.
«We have gathered in Bogotá to ask for forgiveness on behalf of the State, the Ministry of Defense and the Army, not only in compliance with the decision of Colombian justice, but also because it is consistent with our democratic convictions, our commitment to truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition «We apologize for these crimes, which disgrace us in front of the whole world, and we recognize the responsibility of the state for their commission,» said Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez.
At least 6,402 people were victims of extrajudicial killings by the military between 2002 and 2008, according to Colombia's Special Court for Peace (JEP). In December 2021, 21 Colombian army soldiers and one civilian admitted responsibility for 247 killings of civilians who were passed off as liquidated gang members in order to gain promotion.