In a letter to the Minister of Defense of Colombia, Iván Velásquez, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) expresses deep concerns over the insecurity faced by social leaders and rural and ethnic communities. Conversations with WOLA partners on the ground reveal alarming situations across various regions, including killings, threats, and forced displacement affecting human rights defenders, despite the government’s “Total Peace” policy.
WOLA is highly concerned about the expansion of the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC) paramilitary group and the alleged lack of decisive action by security forces against them. As reported by WOLA’s partners, “a new and alarming modality has emerged, with this group massively occupying territories with hundreds of armed and uniformed troops.”
WOLA respectfully requests the Ministry of Defense to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable populations and dismantle criminal structures that continue to terrorize communities. Safeguarding social leaders and respecting the rights of ethnic groups should be a top priority amidst ongoing peace efforts.
To view the full letter (in Spanish), please click here.