Anti-Militarism: News & Updates

violent attack on members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in Antioquia Department, injuring legal representative Germán Graciano Posso; threats by neo-paramilitaries to attack again soon.

assassinations of social leaders across the country, Dec 4-18: Alfonso Giraldo Valencia, member of FENSUAGRO (United Agricultural Workers Federation) , Putumayo Dept; Oscar Pai Pascal, indigenous leader, Nariño Dept.; Jhon Jairo Ortiz Betancur, former FARC member, Antioquia Dept.; Alexander José Padilla Cruz, member of National Coordinator of Coca, Poppy and Marijuana Growers (COCCAM), Córdoba Dept.; José Rafael de la Hoz Villa, peasant farmer and rural activist, Magdalena Dept.; Alfonso Pérez Mellizo, community leader, Cauca Dept.

violent repression of protests following the disputed presidential election on November 26, illegal raids, damaged facilities, threats and persecution of members of human rights organizations, including COPINH (Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras), MADJ (Movimiento Amplio por la Dignidad y La Justicia), and Arcoiris ( LGBT Rainbow Association)

unjust arrest and criminalization of campseino leaders in the Aguán Valley, Colón Department, including Sindy Ramos, Vilma Rosa, Deysi Rosa, Elsy Rosa, Kenia Rosa and Raquel Méndez.

massacre of seven farmers and injuries to at least 20 others when security forces shot indiscriminately into a crowd protesting eradication of their coca crops in Tumaco, Nariño Department

excessive force by police and ESMAD (anti-riot squad) against small-scale artisanal miners in Antioquia Department organizing in resistance to Canada-based Gran Colombia Gold Corporation; two killed by police gunfire: Brando Stid Ochoa, Alexis Gregorio Acevedo

threats and intimidation against several human rights defenders and organizations in Barrancabermeja, Santander Department, by the paramilitary organization Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces (AGC): Iván Madero Vergel, President of the Regional Corporation for the Protection of Human Rights (CREDHOS); David Ravelo Crespo, Secretary of CREDHOS; Maria Leonilda Ravelo Grimaldo, President of the National Association for Solidarity Aid (ANDAS); Sonia María Nevado Morales, member of Broad Front for Peace; Melkin Hernán Castrillón Peñau, Treasurer of the Peasant Farmer Association of the Cimitarra River Valley (ACVC)

repression by the Military Police and two elite special command squads, the COBRAS and TIGRES, against peaceful protesters organized in resistance to the HIDROCEP hydroelectric dam on the Mezapa River; detention of leaders of MADJ (Broad Movement for Dignity and Justice) in Pajuiles, Tela municipality, Atlántida Department.