Authorities in the nation of Colombia say they are reopening an investigation into whether a coal company based in Alabama financed a paramilitary group during the South American country's bloody civil conflict.
The investigation into the Drummond company is expected to focus on irregular payments allegedly made to a contractor already found guilty in relation to the murders of two labor leaders.
It’s long been accused that Drummond financed an umbrella paramilitary group, but those claims have repeatedly been dismissed in U.S. courts.
In a statement released yesterday, Drummond said it has never supported illegal armed groups.
A human rights lawyer calls the investigation's opening a "first step" toward justice for relatives of those killed by the right-wing militia during the conflict.
