Friday, February 7, 2025

UN Colombia Mission Scandals Include Selling Out Mario Paciolla and now Bachelet Cousin


by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

UN GATE, Feb 5 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's follow up is yet once again on his mission in Colombia, about which his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about the newest sex abuse case against the UN there. Now this, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press:

Dear Matthew Russell Lee,

It’s truly remarkable how, after more than four years, the United Nations has yet to provide a clear and honest account of what happened to Mario Paciolla. One would think that an organization built on transparency and accountability would have been the first to demand justice for one of its own. And yet, silence. A silence so deafening, it almost seems deliberate.

 He begged for help. He sent multiple emails stating he feared for his life. He repeatedly asked to be relocated. But despite having helicopters, vehicles, and the means to move him to Bogota and put him up in a hotel until he could be flown out of the country, the mission left him stranded in San Vicente del Caguan until, of course, it was too late. After months of begging they took him out of  San Vicente, the day they were picking him up he was found dead. The body was discovered at 6 AM on the day he was finally scheduled to leave.

The authorities weren’t notified until three hours later. Why the delay? What needed to be handled before the police arrived?  Evidence disappeared, and so did key people. Some who were present at his apartment that morning have since been reassigned to other missions. Certain national staff members were promoted and quietly moved out of UNVMC. A lucky coincidence for them, no doubt. 

And yet, SRSG Carlos Ruiz Massieu has remained curiously quiet. No outrage, no demands for justice just business as usual. Even more fascinating is his recent decision to appoint Yang Wang as D1 Chief of Mission Support, despite widespread reports of incompetence and allegations of cheating in the selection process.  Why is this relevant? Because as Chief of ORM, Yang Wang had direct oversight of LogOps. He had access to all of Mario’s desperate emails through the unit or by being cc’d on them. He knew Mario feared for his life. He knew Mario repeatedly asked for help and was ignored. And now, against all logic, he has been rewarded with a top position.

 Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We can’t forget the countless Colombians who have been murdered after their names were conveniently leaked by UNVMC. Or the staff in Bogota forced to work alongside active ELN members, enduring months of threats and fear. And let’s not even start on the secretive flights to Cuba and Caracas requesting not be monitored and the baggage not to be checked, or the ex-military and political figures quietly serving as staff or contractors at UNVMC.  So, the real question is: what exactly is the UN’s role in Colombia? Because at this point, it looks far less like a peace mission and far more like an operation designed to keep the conflict alive after all, no war means no mission, and no mission means no more cushy jobs and benefits.

 It’s time for some real transparency. Not just for Mario Paciolla, but for every person who has suffered due to the UN’s silence and complicity. The world is watching, even if the UN hopes otherwise

  [Keep it coming]

We'll have more on all thisKeep the info coming.

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