Congressmen David Racero and Miguel Polo Polo faced off in a heated discussion over the ‘false positives’. Foto: Screenshot
The Congress of the Republic almost became a boxing ring due to a heated exchange of words between senators David Racero of the Historical Pact and Miguel Polo Polo of the Democratic Center.
The confrontation occurred due to the opinions of Polo Polo who assured “such false positives do not exist”, a phrase he pronounced in front of the victims who were attending the session where the 6,402 extrajudicial executions that would be confirmed by the Colombian justice system were debated. .
Given the statements of the senator from the Democratic Center, Racero approached Polo Polo and rebuked him.
“Little human being, little human being. You don’t do that, you don’t play with that. “Don’t play with the pain of mothers,” he tells her while other senators try to calm things down.
Polo Polo, also very excited, shouts back and then, looking around, asks: “Who else is going to hit me; who else?”
The shameful scene was recorded in videos that are going viral on social networks where one of the mothers, victims of the false positives, is even seen attacking the Democratic Center congressman for denying the existence of the crimes for which the Colombian state has already been condemned.
The congressman of the Democratic Center, Miguel Polo Polo, assured, in front of the families of the victims, that “such ‘false positives’ do not exist, which provoked the anger of the senator of the Historical Pact, David Racero. Here the video. pic.twitter.com/zG7WAGYhWl
— Teleantioquia (@Teleantioquia) November 13, 2024
In his X account, Senator Racero continued the discussion: “Denialism and the lack of the slightest human empathy in the face of the pain of mothers who have lost their children! This goes beyond an ideological or political difference. “Don’t make fun of the victims’ pain!” he wrote.
Denialism and the lack of the slightest human empathy in the face of the pain of mothers who have lost their children!
This goes beyond an ideological or political difference. Don’t make fun of the victims’ pain! #FalsePositives pic.twitter.com/uwSpatGbKe
— David Racero (@DavidRacero) November 13, 2024
In turn, the National Center of Historical Memory rejected the actions of the opposition congressman and demanded that he publicly apologize.
“We reiterate that the State’s duty of memory involves recognizing, making visible and promoting the memories of the victims of the Colombian internal armed conflict, which is why we urge the congressman (…) to present public excuses and materialize an unrestricted commitment to respect and dignity of the victims and their families,” they wrote in a press release.
The National Center of Historical Memory (#CNMH) rejects the actions of congressman Miguel Polo Polo regarding the “false positives” pic.twitter.com/1lR6wHxyEA
— National Center of Historical Memory (@CentroMemoriaH) November 13, 2024
Polo Polo against the families of the victims?
This week, Senator Miguel Polo Polo was also under the scrutiny of public opinion when he decided to throw away the dozens of rubber boots that the mothers of the victims of the Soacha false positives painted and displayed in Congress.
6,402? There are 154 social leaders massacred this year in Colombia, this is a real number! #OutPetro pic.twitter.com/eeWxmgLdVZ
— MIGUEL ABRAHAM POLO POLO (@MiguelPoloP) November 6, 2024
“Who says that those boots were worn by the mothers who were victims of Soacha? Where is the evidence? Who are the moms? Here any woman can come out and say that the Army killed her son and put some boots on Congress. Now, why did they do it politically (…) That’s why I picked up the boots and threw them in the trash can,” was the response that the congressman gave to the Semana Magazine.
2024-11-13 22:37:00
#Video #Senators #David #Racero #Miguel #Polo #Polo #blows #false #positives
**Interview with David Racero, Senator of the Historical Pact**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Senator Racero. Let’s dive into the heated exchange that took place in Congress regarding the “false positives.” What exactly triggered this confrontation with Senator Polo Polo?
**David Racero:** Thank you for having me. The confrontation escalated when Senator Polo Polo claimed that these “false positives” do not exist—one of the most tragic chapters in our nation’s history where innocent civilians were murdered and misrepresented as combat casualties. Hearing him say that in front of victims’ families was incredibly insensitive and dismissive of their pain.
**Editor:** It’s clear that emotions were running high during that session. Can you describe your feelings as you confronted him?
**David Racero:** It was a deeply emotional moment. I felt a surge of anger and protectiveness towards those mothers who have lost their children. No one should deny their suffering, especially not a lawmaker. I approached him because I couldn’t stand by while he made jokes out of their grief. I told him, “You don’t play with that. Don’t play with the pain of mothers.”
**Editor:** Following the incident, you shared your thoughts on social media. You mentioned lack of empathy. Can you elaborate on that?
**David Racero:** Absolutely. It’s disturbing to see such denialism, especially coming from someone in a position of power. It’s not just about political differences; it’s about human empathy. The pain of these victims should never be politicized or dismissed. We owe it to them to acknowledge their suffering and work toward justice.
**Editor:** The National Center of Historical Memory has called for a public apology from Senator Polo Polo. What are your thoughts on this demand?
**David Racero:** I fully support that call for an apology. Acknowledging the truth of our past is crucial for healing. It’s a matter of respect for the victims and their families, recognizing the pain they have endured. The state has an obligation to not only remember but to also promote the dignity of all victims of armed conflict.
**Editor:** Thank you, Senator Racero, for sharing your perspective on this critical issue. It’s clear that these discussions are essential as Colombia continues to address its past and seek justice for victims.
**David Racero:** Thank you for giving me the space to speak about this. It’s vital that we keep the dialogue open and ongoing.
