Wiretap scandal grows in Colombia

Defense minister says neither he nor the president knew the national police were listening in on public figures, including officials.

By Chris Kraul, Times Staff Writer
May 16, 2007
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA — President Alvaro Uribe faced a new scandal Tuesday over alleged wiretapping of political opponents and journalists, one day after he ordered the arrest of 19 present and former Colombian officials accused of signing a “devil’s pact” with right-wing paramilitaries.

In a news conference Tuesday, Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos disclosed that the administration had uncovered a broad and systematic practice by the national police of wiretapping prominent public figures, including members of Uribe’s government.

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