Washington, DC ― The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) appealed to leading Colombian newspaper El Tiempo to restore an online article about a letter from 11 members of the US Congress regarding US interference in Colombia’s June 21 election and the Congess members’ calls to investigate far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella over his ties to paramilitary groups and possible criminal activity in the US. The article was initially published on June 17 following the letter’s release to the media, but was later removed the same day. The letter, which the Congress members addressed to Secretaries Rubio and Bessent and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, has been covered in many Colombian and other outlets, including leading Spanish newspaper El País, the EFE newswire, El Espectador, El Colombiano, InfoBae, Cambio, El Diario, and Newsweek.

“This was a very important article about serious problems regarding a presidential candidate just days before the election,” CEPR Co-Director Mark Weisbrot said. “We hope that El Tiempo will republish it immediately. Colombians deserve to know about the many shell companies and Florida real estate properties connected to De la Espriella, as well as his troubling history with the terrorist AUC paramilitaries, which includes efforts to whitewash their crimes.”

The article, the text of which was reposted by MSN and is available on the Internet Archive, noted the Congress members’ call for the Department of Justice, Department of State, and Department of Treasury to investigate De la Espriella, including in regard to 14 shell companies and several Florida real estate properties worth millions of dollars linked to the far-right criminal defense attorney. It also cites his ties to the infamous paramilitary United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) and his relationship with Colombian businessman Alex Saab, who is currently in US custody “for his alleged role in a sprawling international money laundering conspiracy.” Bank and real estate records show that money from Saab may have helped pay for a Miami apartment that a firm registered in De la Espriella’s  purchased in 2014.

A press release from the office of Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, who led the congressional letter, also mentioned the case of Beto Coral, a Colombian national who was arrested in the US by ICE Tuesday and who is currently in detention. Coral had just traveled from Arizona to Miami where he posted photos of himself standing outside the apartment building where a firm registered to De la Espriella had purchased an apartment, possibly with funds from Saab. Coral reportedly traveled to Miami to file a lawsuit against De la Espriella. There are indications that De la Espriella may have been tipped off about Coral’s arrest in advance, and De la Espriella has been openly urging US authorities to arrest other critics and Cepeda supporters based in the US. 

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