Colombian authorities are investigating renowned bolero singer Charlie Zaa for his alleged ties to the paramilitary group Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC), in a case involving approximately $6 million in illicit operations.
According to Semana magazine, one of Colombia's most respected publications, Zaa—whose real name is Carlos Alberto Sánchez Ramírez—is under scrutiny for allegedly serving as a frontman for the AUC in the department of Tolima.
His name surfaced in sworn testimonies from demobilized members of the AUC participating in Colombia's Justice and Peace process, a transitional justice mechanism allowing former combatants to reintegrate into society by confessing past crimes and cooperating with investigations.
Former paramilitary members including Ricaurte Soria Ortiz, Indalecio José Sánchez (alias Fredy), Atanael Matajudíos, and Óscar Oviedo Rodríguez claim Zaa had close links to Daniel Goyeneche, known as "Comandante Daniel," a former leader of the Tolima Bloc. These men were allegedly responsible for the control, collection, and distribution of illegally obtained funds.
Multiple testimonies agree that the artist acted as a proxy owner of at least three nightlife venues in the region.
Among the assets allegedly connected to the operation are El Oasis shopping center in Girardot—home to the area's largest nightclub—as well as Kapachos and Solaris nightclubs in Ibagué's nightlife district.
One former paramilitary, quoted by Semana and the Prosecutor General's Office, recalled:
"We were at a shopping center in Girardot called El Oasis. Later, in prison, I learned it belonged to Charlie Zaa. Daniel told me that three of the locations inside were for the children of Elías (...) Every month, I delivered one million pesos to someone who said he was Elías' nephew."
The testimonies also mention that the premises in the Oasis shopping center were allegedly purchased to guarantee an allowance for the children of a deceased former paramilitary leader, identified as Elías.
"Daniel said he was going to buy some premises in downtown Girardot, and that's when Juan David told me the premises were in Charlie Zaa's name. I don't know what happened to the rest of the money, because I don't think the premises cost 3 billion," said another former paramilitary.
One of the former paramilitaries, Ricaurte Soria, recounted: "I had the opportunity to be in the ERE3 pavilion of Justice and Peace in Bogotá, where a cousin of Charlie Zaa visited Commander Daniel every eight days and went to give him accounts of the Kapachos Nightclub in Ibagué. Not only do I know this, but so do all the commanders of these properties that Daniel owned with Charlie Zaa."
In addition, Soria stated that in 2000, Zaa maintained a close relationship with alias Daniel, and that the visits and meetings were known to several members of the Bloc.
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What does Charlie Zaa say?
In his defense, the artist explained that he acquired the lots where the shopping center was built in his father's name, using royalties paid by Sonolux (a Colombian record company) for the sale of his albums.
However, the Prosecutor's Office warned that, although the purchase of the lots is documented, there is no support for the renovation and construction of the El Oasis shopping center.
"Regarding the adaptation and construction of the El Oasis shopping center, there is a lack of documentation, such as: architectural plans, structural plans, approval of a horizontal property regulation that would allow for the separation and subsequent opening of other registration sheets, and, more importantly, there are no financial records," the agency stated.
The file also indicates the absence of records on "the total costs and expenses incurred and the timeframe for the construction of not only the shopping center, but also the interior buildings, such as the Oasis Hotel and the Oasis nightclub."
So far, only the artist's wife has issued statements, explaining that Charly Zaa will remain silent while the situation is "clarified."
