CPT Net
August 25, 2001
Barrancabermeja, Colombia: CPTers Pray for release of kidnap victim.

[On August 24, the team received news that Teresa escaped from her pursuers
and is still alive. Praise God. A photo of the vigil is on the front page
of the CPT website, http://www.cpt.org. ]

"We pray that this neighborhood will be transformed from a place where our
friends are taken to be killed to a place of hope and life" prayed CPTer
Scott Kerr at an August 29 vigil in the Arenal neighborhood. Kerr, joined
by CPTers Ben Horst, Matt Schaaf and Pierre Shantz, vigiled in this
economically depressed neighborhood because of its close ties to the
paramilitary group United Self-Defense of Colombia (AUC). The team prayed
on the soccer field, a gathering place for community members. They also
sang "Nada Te Turbe" (Let nothing distress you) as candles were lit.

The vigil was in response to the latest kidnapping perpetrated by the
paramilitary group. The victim, Teresa, from the village of Florida, was
an associate of the team and someone that the team has accompanied on a
number of occasions. "It was important for us to act quickly and denounce
this violent act," explained Schaaf. "The paras need to understand that
we cannot tolerate acts of terror in the port."

The team read through the "Litany of Resistance", which has been used
before in actions with the Abejas in Chiapas. The litany includes the
prayer "For those fleeing in terror; Have mercy". Many live in terror in
Barrancabermeja while traveling in and around the ports.

Teresa was last seen running from her pursuers in a nearby port. It was
reported that she was running in the swift moving Magdalena river up to her
knees to avoid capture. She has not been seen by friends or family since.
This port has been marked by increased violence in the past three weeks. In
past weeks three boat drivers have been killed for bringing out food and
medicine to community members in outlying areas (See August 12 CPTnet
release, "The Call.")

Press covering the vigil were asked to leave by a member of the
paramilitary group AUC. The unidentified member stated "The press will not
take photos, and you (the press) are not welcome here." The story appeared
with photo the next day in the local paper.

The team is planning further actions in the port area to denounce the
violence, and call to accountability those responsible. The team also
continues to dialogue with those who may know the whereabouts of Teresa.