'Army in northeast Colombia stigmatizing, threatening and even shooting at civilians'

[Judi Lynn]

by Adriaan Alsema June 16, 2019


Increased military and paramilitary activity in the northeast Colombia has worsened the situation of the locals who were already terrorized by guerrillas, according to human rights defenders.

The coca-rich region of Catatumbo has become a melting pot of armed groups of which it has become impossible to distinguish who is fighting who. What is clear is that the locals are in the way of all armed groups, legal and illegal.

While illegal armed groups like the ELN and the EPL put the locals at risk by laying landmines, the military is allegedly using their farms and fields to camp and dig trenches and has shown no interest in protecting the population.

“It’s better you leave. We’re not going to protect you,” soldiers of Rapid Response Force #3 reportedly told farmers in Ocaña. The farmers got the message, packed up whatever they could and left.

Self-proclaimed members of paramilitary group AGC are threatening and extorting shopkeepers in the town of Convencion.

More:
https://colombiareports.com/army-in-northeast-colombia-stigmatizing-threatening-and-even-shooting-at-civilians/