Colombian Congressmen Sacked

Five Colombian Congressmen have been sacked by their parties following allegations of links to paramilitary organizations. The Partido de la U and the Cambio Radical party, both supporters of President Alvaro Uribe, decided to oust the lawmakers ahead of the legislative elections on 12 March. Cambio Radical expelled Senators Jorge Castro and Jorge Caballero. The Partido de la U, which removed Congressmen Dieb Maloof, Habib Merheg and Luis Eduardo Vives as party candidates said the matter threatened the party’s credibility.