On 27 May 2010, a paramilitary group sent a threat via email to partner organizations in Barrancabermeja and the Middle Magdalena region. Part of the threat states, “Considering that the guerrilla groups are still in Barrancabermeja within all the organizations that call themselves displaced peoples and human rights defenders, unions and ngo’s…” It goes on to say that they will not tolerate any opposition to the development and security of the country. The threat comes as Colombia prepares for presidential elections on Sunday, May 30th and is often used as a strategy to create an environment of insecurity and fear. These paramilitary groups have openly supported outgoing president Alvaro Uribe and his policies over the last eight years and have threatened organizations who opposed the Uribe government’s militaristic policies.
We are calling on you to pray for the security of the threatened organizations as they struggle for a just and democratic Colombia.
