Authorities launch manhunt after narcotrafficker threatens journalist

[Judi Lynn]

Authorities launch manhunt after narcotrafficker threatens journalist
Friday, 01 July 2011 15:20
Travis Mannon

Medellin authorities have targeted Henry de Jesus Lopez, alias "Mi Sangre," after he allegedly sent death threats to a journalist.

Mary Luz Avendaño, a journalist for El Espectador, received threats from Mi Sangre after she published articles revealing his identity and detailing the ties between him and members of the Medellin police.

"I began to get warning messages, especially from the sources that gave me information. They told me it was serious, that I should take care of myself, that they had heard comments and that I could be hurt."

According to General Cesar Pinzon, the head of the police's narcotics division, Mi Sangre is one of the most dangerous drug lords and paramilitary members in Medellin.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/17366-authorities-launch-manhunt-after-narcotrafficker-threatens-journalist.html

[rabs]

1. Another journalist assassinted

Luis Eduardo Gómez, 70, was shot five times yesterday (Thursday) in Antioquia (uribe's home state). Gómez was a witness in the investigation of uribista politicians associated with former AUC paramilitaries.

Four days previous, community leader Vicente Botero was assassinated under similar circumstances. He also was a witness in the parapolitician investigation.

No arrests in either killing, natch. But regional military and civilians have formed a group to "analyze" the situation.

El Tiempo reported that in the past eight months four witnesses in the parapolitician investigations have been slain, and another five have been disappeared. All have been killed since Santos took over.

[Judi Lynn]

2. The investigations into the connects between the politicians & right-wing paras aren't going so well

Sure, it would bring journalists to their knees knowing if they told the truth about anything they would end up being murdered, perhaps even after being tortured. To still plunge ahead and do the stories shows people who are truly far more courageous, more principled than what passes today for average, normal human beings. They have resolved to try to do something to shed light on the monsters, to promote JUSTICE if they can, no matter what the price.

It really makes one so damned sick when all that happens is the demons simply kill them, then kill the next one, too, and leave that threat for the world to see that this is what happens to you if you dare to cross them.

Nine people gone, in all. Of course it's correct to believe the missing ones were dead, too, very possibly after having been tortured, just for the hell of it. Nine in 8 months. No way for anyone to be a smart-ass with those facts, even though the maggots might try. It's altogether hellish.

I found this article after reading your post concerning the first one you mentioned.

Journalist assassinated in Colombia
Friday, 01 July 2011 14:11
Alexander Stone

Journalist Luis Eduardo Gomez was assassinated on Thursday night as he arrived home with his wife and was intercepted by two men on a motorbike, in Arboletes, a town in the department of Antioquia.

According to the secretary of the governer of the area, Esteban Revolledo, Gomez, 70, was shot five times. There had been no recorded threat to his life.

Revollendo told El Tiempo, "at the moment we dont know who carried out the act or who is responsible. He spent much of his time here in Arboletes, and dedicated much of that time to writing about politics".

Gomez was appearing as a witness for a judicial investigation into links between right-wing paramilitary groups and Colombian politicians.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/17362-journalist-assassinated-in-colombia.html

Thank you for the information.

[Judi Lynn]

3. BBC News: Witness in Colombian paramilitary court case killed

1 July 2011 Last updated at 17:10 ET
Witness in Colombian paramilitary court case killed

One of the main witnesses in a court case investigating politicians' links to right-wing paramilitaries in Colombia has been killed.

Luis Eduardo Gomez, 70, was shot dead by gunmen in his home in Arboletes, in north-western Antioquia province.

He is the second witness in the case to be killed this week, officials say.

Prosecutors are investigating scores of local politicians over their alleged links to the paramilitary United Self-Defence Forces.

~snip~
Prosecutors say the AUC built up close connections with a number of local and national politicians, financing their campaigns in exchange for their backing in local government and Congress.

Many current or former members of Congress have been jailed or investigated for allegedly conspiring or collaborating with the AUC paramilitaries, in what has been dubbed the "parapolitics" scandal.

More:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-13998372