Juan Carlos Lecompte, Ingrid Betancourt's husband declared that former President Gaviria had 'condemned a link between paramilitaries, Uribe's government and his supporters in Parliament"

Following the death of Liliana Gaviria, controversy has erupted over the fact that personnel protection had been withdrawn from the deceased. The government denies this.

Today Colombia is shocked by the murder of former President Gaviria's sister. Gaviria is the director of the opposition party 'Libéral' and has until now remained silent about the matter. For a nation used to kidnappings and assassinations, this new crime, carried out in the town of Pereira has shocked because Liliana Gaviria was a woman who had a "low profile, who was involved in the construction industry and lived in the shadow of the former president", Juan Carlos Lecompte stated last night to the "Segunda" newspaper.

Lecompte who has undertaken in Colombia and in France a strong campaign for freedom for his wife and other hostages held by FARC, also stated that there is some speculation that the murder of Liliana Gaviria (52 years) taking place as it did a month before the presidential elections in Colombia is " a political crime".

"President Gaviria had condemned the links that existed between paramilitaries, Uribe's government and senators and deputies who support him. That is why it is thought this is a politically motivated crime, organised by paramilitaries. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the assassination", he added.

People are kidnapped and killed every day in Colombia in the course of robberies but in this case " Liliana was travelling with bodyguards. Ten armed men approached and shots were fired " From that I believe that this was a well - planned operation. It must be investigated.

Some hours after the crime, a newspaper linked to the Gaviria family criticised the removal of protection from the victim that was later denied by the Interior and Justice Minister, Sabas Pretelt.

Police and soldiers in the streets.

Liliana Gaviria sister of the former President and Secretary General of the Organisation of the Americas, lived in the town of Pereira, capital of the Risaralda, situated 350 km from Bogotá. Married with two sons, she was assassinated by bullets by an armed rebel who tried to kidnap her. In the melee one of her guards who tried to prevent her being kidnapped was killed. The body of Liliana Gaviria was found on the outskirts of the town.

Today there is an an increase in the level of security. "There are many police and military on the streets. There's a lot of tension", according to Lecompte.

He added that it has been since confirmed that Liliana Gaviria "died from a bullet wound to the stomach that lodged in her heart" The government has offered a reward of 1000 million pesos for any information about the killers.

"Many rumours that I do not believe."

Lecompte is saddened by events that happen in his country. He recalled the kidnapping of his wife by FARC on 23 February 2002 and the last time there was any news of her, was on 30 august 2003 in a video shown on "Noticias Uno" TV programme.

"There have been lots of rumours about her. It is said she has had a son (by a rebel), that she was gravely ill…It has also been said that Clara Rojas, her companion also kidnapped with her, has also had a baby. This is very disrespectful to them and to all those kidnapped, instead, pity and understanding should be shown to them."

In the next few days Juan Carlos will repeat the action he made on 13 May last over the Amazonian forest. He will fly in a single-engined plane over the border area between Ecuador and Peru where his wife is supposed to be held and will drop some 15,000 photos of Melanie (20 years) and Lorenzo (17 years), Ingrid Betancourt's children who live in Paris.