Colombia's Elections: Under the Gun  http://americas.irc-online.org/am/6707

Researcher Claudia Lopez of the Electoral Observation Mission explained the relationship between drug-trafficking groups and elections in an interview with independent journalist Hollman Morris. "The narco-trafficking structures need to have political representation and that's why they seek it so avidly. Because through political representation they get impunity, legitimacy, and a capacity for negotiation with government authorities."

The consolidation of narco-paramilitary groups follows a pattern. First they establish territorial control in areas where they have interests in illegal drug production or trafficking. Then they take control of local, state, and federal government representation. In Colombia, the process has been dubbed "capture of the state."

Astoundingly, in the March 14 elections, parties tainted by the para-politics scandal were not punished for crimes as serious as aligning with illegal armed groups and being implicated in massacres of civilian populations. Worse, they were returned to office. Colombian civil society groups identified 80 candidates directly connected to imprisoned or sanctioned politicians with paramilitary ties. Although official results are not in to do an exact count, many of these family members and close associates gained office.

comment-also see...International Delegation Issues Preliminary Findings on Pre-electoral Conditions in Colombia http://americas.irc-online.org/am/6699  Colombia Elections 2010 http://americas.irc-online.org/am/6703