Colombia: WOLA Meets Defense Minister Iván Velásquez, Raises Human Rights Concerns

On November 28, 2022, representatives of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) met Colombia’s Defense Minister Iván Velásquez to discuss some of the organization’s ongoing concerns regarding the human rights situation in the country.

In particular, WOLA representatives welcomed the steps taken by authorities in Colombia to advance a productive dialogue with illegal groups and members of the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) to, among other things, help prevent further violence against civil society, social leaders, and ethnic authorities.

In a follow-up open letter to the minister, the organization raised a number of questions and requested further information on issues including but not limited to progress regarding the transferring of the National Police to the sphere of the Ministry of the Interior, the future of military cooperation agreements with the United States, the impact of glyphosate spraying, and progress regarding the implementation of recommendations from the Truth Commission to ensure justice for victims of human rights violations.

Read the full version of WOLA’s letter to Minister Velásquez here.