The President of the Hostosiano National Independence Movement (MINH) of Puerto Rico, Julio Muriente Pérez, assured that the information was contained in the book El Bogotazo, memorias del olvido, by Arturo Alape, in which he immersed himself “deeply concerned” Scourge tremendous impact of the political and social violence that has hit Colombia.
“We hope that the government of Gustavo Petro and other Colombian political forces can move forward in their titanic efforts to bring about a dignified peace in this sister country,” he said.
He also noted that after El Bogotazo, Enamorado Cuesta saved a dozen members of the Communist Party of Colombia (PCC) leadership from death.
“In an effort to uncover some historical keys to understanding this harsh reality, I immersed myself almost literally in the book, a comprehensive and varied story of the assassination of very important political leader Jorge Eliezer Gaitan, which took place on April 9th 1948 and the terrible consequences of this assassination for Colombia,” he said.
Muriente Pérez explained that the information about the presence of Enamorado Cuesta was offered by Gilberto Vieira (1911-2000), a member of the highest leadership of the PCC, when he referred to the rumor that related to the arrest and execution of a Dozen leaders of Colombian communists.
According to Vieira’s account contained in the book, the Puerto Rican journalist was accredited to cover the Pan American Conference, which allowed him to inquire at various police stations about the situation of the imprisoned leaders to whom he was related due to his status as a communist , until they are located in the Fourth Police Division.
“Amidst so much dismay and fear shared as I read page after page, I felt proud of this countryman, a veteran of a thousand campaigns in his country and in other countries, who at this dramatic moment had the courage to stand up in defense of those who would undoubtedly have been massacred like so many other combatants in that tragic and glorious April,” said Muriente Pérez.
He stressed that Puerto Rico is present in El Bogotazo in a dignified and supportive way, as we are today with the fraternal people of Colombia.
The MINH President argued that a direct consequence of Gaitán’s assassination and the violence that preceded his death – and escalated thereafter – was the rise of powerful guerrilla organizations such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian Army (ELN).
He said that Gaitán’s popularity was such that he was elected President of Colombia in the 1950 elections.
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