Hernán Giraldo

Hernán Giraldo Serna (born August 16, 1948), also known as the "Lord of the Sierra", is the leader of the Colombian paramilitary organization Tayrona Resistance Block, a 1,166-member armed group, part of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia. Colombian prosecutors have labeled Mr. Giraldo “the biggest sexual predator of paramilitarism.”^[1] In the Justice and Peace process, he accepted responsibility for 35 acts of gender-based violence — some committed by his subordinates — including the rape of 11 girls under age 14. He has been accused of sexually abusing a girl as young as 9 years of age.^[2][3] A Colombian court sentenced him to 20 years in prison for his role in the massacre of 20 workers; he was tried in absentia. He is also suspected in the murder of two narcotics agents and in the killings of Kankuamo Indians as part of his war against Marxist rebels, and the abduction of Colombian senator Jose Gnecco.^[4][5]

On February 2, 2006, he signed a peace deal with the Colombian government and demobilized his armed faction. He is expected to serve a prison time of 5 to 8 years, if he complies with the terms of the agreement. There are also outstanding warrants for his arrest in the United States for his role in the cocaine trade, but it is expected that part of his peace deal includes an implicit no-extradition pledge, as long as he doesn't violate any of agreement's terms. Hernan is one of the 14 criminals that has been extradited to United States.^[6]

References

External links

• "Colombia's "Lord of the Sierra" hands in his gun ", Associated Press, February 2, 2006.
• "War Without End", Media Awareness Project, May 21, 2001.