Hernando Molina Araújo

Hernando César Molina Araújo is a Colombian politician. Son of Hernando Molina Céspedes and Consuelo Araújo, he studied at the Colegio Nacional Loperena in Valledupar and later studied Law in the Antonio Nariño University, but dropped out. He declares himself a self-taught man. Molina was governor of the Colombian Department of Cesar for the period 2004-2007, a term which he did not complete due to his involvement in the Parapolitica scandal. he was called to testify on May 17, 2007 at the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia.

Career

Manager of Electrocesar, an energy state-owned company
Valledupar city councilman
Municipality of Valledupar Finance Secretary
Colombian consul in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama
Temporary Colombian ambassador to Costa Rica
Vallenato Legend Festival coordinator
Elected governor of the Cesar Department

Governorship

In 2003 Molina ran for the Cesar Department governorship without contestants after a highly influential AUC paramilitary leader in the region named Jorge 40 allegedly mounted pressure over the other two candidates to make them renounce their candidacies. These raised questions about Molina and his possible involvement with illegal paramilitary groups.