According to the Government Secretary (secretario de gobierno) of Caicedonia, Mario Cuartas Gonzalez was a member of the municipal council between 2000 and 2003 (Alcaldía de Caicedonia 12 Mar. 2004). He added that Cuartas had been a candidate in the most recent elections but failed to obtain sufficient votes to win re-election (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Alcaldía de Caicedonia. 12 March 2004. Telephone interview with the Secretary of Government.