COJorge Rodrigo Tovar Vélez is a representative to the Colombian Congress from the departments of Cesar, Magdalena, and La Guajira, serving under a special temporary constituency for peace. He holds a law degree from the Universidad del Rosario with a focus on constitutional law and human rights, along with specializations in criminal sciences and criminology from the Universidad Camilo José Cela in Spain and in public governance and electoral campaigns from the Universidad Externado. His father, Rodrigo Tovar Pupo, known as 'Jorge 40', was a former paramilitary commander linked to the AUC who was convicted for massacres and extradited to the United States for drug trafficking. Despite his work with victims, Tovar’s candidacy sparked controversy in 2022 due to his family background. He was appointed coordinator of Victims at the Ministry of Interior during President Iván Duque’s administration in 2020, though this appointment was contentious because of his father’s history. Tovar later ran for a peace-related congressional seat in 2021, facing opposition including from then-green senator Antonio Sanguino, who sought to have his candidacy annulled. The National Electoral Council ruled T
Bias read (Progressive): The article highlights the controversy surrounding Tovar’s candidacy, emphasizing his connection to a notorious paramilitary figure and the opposition he faced, particularly from figures like Antonio Sanguino. While providing factual information, the framing underscores the political sensitivity ofT
