By IANS/EFE,
Bogota : Colombian President Alvaro Uribe’s decision to turn college students into army informants to tackle crimes in northwestern Medellin city has been criticised by people from across the political spectrum.
The presidential candidate of the opposition Liberal Party, Rafael Pardo, told reporters Thursday Uribe’s decision was an act of desperation and a sign the violence in Medellin, was out of control.
A former defence minister said it will put the students at risk and attract retaliation from banned groups.
Independent presidential hopeful and former Medellin Mayor Sergio Fajardo said the plan is “a monumental error that runs counter to what education should be all about”.
Guillermo Baquero, president of the Colombian Association of University Students, said he does not believe the measure will reduce crime.
Medellin’s current mayor, Alonso Salazar, told Caracol Radio that he had asked the government for a bigger police force, but his administration would never rely on a civilian informants’ network. He urged Uribe to reconsider the decision.
Uribe said Tuesday about 1,000 university students will be part of a intelligence network and would get a monthly payment of about $50 each.
In support, the commander of the army brigade based in Medellin, Gen. Alberto Jose Mejia, said the decision to enlist student army informants “is not about militarising” young people.
According to officials, about 2,000 homicides were committed in Medellin last year alone.