A court in Colombia gave a long prison sentence to Salvatore Mancuso. He led a group called the AUC. The sentence is 40 years. This is for bad crimes like killing people. But, the time can be shorter. This happens if Mancuso helps the courts. He must also help people who lost things.
Mancuso came back to Colombia this year. He was in prison in the United States for 15 years. This was for drug crimes. Now, Colombian courts can charge him. He was part of the AUC group. This group fought against rebels. It also hurt many innocent people.
The court looked at crimes from 2002 to 2006. These happened in La Guajira. Mancuso was in charge then. There is proof of 117 crimes. These include killings and people going missing. The AUC became a criminal group. They also sold drugs. The Wayuu people suffered.
The AUC did bad things in a long fight. Many people died. The AUC group started to stop in 2003. But, people still feel the bad effects. Mancuso went to the US in 2008. His return helps give this sentence. It wants to help victims find peace.
Colombia's courts have a special way. Criminals must tell the truth. They must help find missing people. This helps the country heal. Mancuso also has Italian papers. He must help to get a shorter sentence. His real help will show if this plan works.