Yolanda Becerra, director of the Grassroots Women’s Organisation, is one of the people who has been forced to leave the city. © Jorge Mata / SURIMAGES-IPA
Article published in ColomPBIa no 7 in may 2008.
After the official demobilisation of the ‘Bloque Central Bolívar’ command of the United Self Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) paramilitary group, the situation in Barrancabermeja in the Santander region entered a period of relative calm. This had been one of the most violent cities in Colombia during the paramilitary takeover of the city, between 1998 and 2000. Nevertheless, throughout the last year, a number of reports and news bulletins indicate that paramilitary structures are once again terrorizing the civilian population, while the police insist that the perpetrators are common delinquents or gangs of young people. Despite announcements by the Colombian State that they will introduce measures to confront the situation, events in the region continue to be a cause for serious concern:
Plans revealed to assassinate David Ravelo
An international organisation contacted Ravelo, secretary general of the Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights (CREDHOS), on 18 February this year, and informed him that they had information suggesting that the paramilitaries were going to try and assassinate him that very day. Previously, the same organisation had informed him that the paramilitary boss alias ‘Gomelo’, had ordered him dead and that he was already being pursued by hired killers.1 Ravelo was forced to leave the city.
Attack against Yolanda Becerra
At 7:30am on 4 November 2007, two armed men, hooded and dressed in civilian clothing, entered the apartment of Yolanda Becerra, director of the Grassroots Women’s Organisation (OFP), and threatened her, while overturning her possessions and causing damage in her home. They put a weapon to her head, warning her: «it’s over, you have 48 hours to leave, if not we’ll kill your family, you won’t get away from us».2 After this incident, Yolanda Becerra was forced to move to the city of Bucaramanga.
Email threat
On 31 July 2007, CREDHOS and the OFP received by email a declaration signed by the Central Bloc of the Black Eagles of Colombia. In this message most of the social organisations and human rights defenders in the city were declared to be military targets, among them the OFP and David Ravelo.3
Death lists
Four death lists appeared in the city during July and August 2007. They name some 50 inhabitants of the city as military targets, mainly young people from marginalised neighbourhoods. The authors of this harassment and intimidation were different blocks of the ‘Black Eagles’. Subsequently, one of the people mentioned in these lists was found dead, and the vast majority of the young people who were threatened fled the city.4
Social cleansing
In February this year, five young people, several of whom apparently were homosexual, were forcibly displaced after receiving threats from unknown armed groups. CREDHOS reported that «this sad fact shows the inability of the authorities to guarantee the life and safety of its citisens».5
Wave of killings
Throughout January and the beginning of February more than 20 violent killings were reported in Barrancabermeja.6 Rumours circulated that “social cleansing” was being carried out, after two recyclers were murdered in less than 24 hours by unknown gunmen.7 A number of alleged drug sellers also figured among the dead.8
At the time of writing, police in the Magdalena Medio region have not con- firmed the existence of the Black Eagles, nor of other illegal armed groups operations in Barrancabermeja: «There are no armed groups operating, there are only delinquent gangs which we are bringing under control», the police commander said at the end of January.9 When asked about the rise in violence in the city, he justified his work claiming that people do not report crimes or speak to the police.10 Faced with this ever more serious situation, PBI, in its dialogue with the Colombian State and the diplomatic corps, has highlighted the need for state institutions to meet with human rights defenders and carry out a joint analysis to develop commitments based on concrete measures. Originally planned for January this year, a meeting was finally held in Barrancabermeja on 1 April, with the participation of Vice President Francisco Santos. Among other measures, Santos announced that the Attorney General’s Office would be strengthened and that 46 new public officials would be hired.
1. Urgent Action, CREDHOS, 14 February 2008
2. Urgent Action, OFP, 4 November 2007
3. Urgent Action, Coordinating Group for Human Rights Workers from the Magdalena Medio Region, 2 August 2007.
4. “Nuevas amenazas en Barrancabermeja”, OFP, 14 August 2007
5. “Pistoleros desconocidos conminaron al destierro a cinco jóvenes del nororiente”, Vanguardia Liberal, 13 February 2008.
6. “Defensor del Pueblo anuncia audiencia en Barranca”, La Vanguardia Liberal, 9 February 2008
7. “Temor en Barrancabermeja por ola de asesinatos”, El Tiempo, 16 February 2008
8. “No hay claridad sobre los móviles de los crímenes de enero” La Vanguardia Liberal, 9 January 2008.
9. “‘Julián Bolívar’ confesó que en Barranca hay grupos”, Vanguardia Liberal, 25 January 2008.
10. “Asesinato de cobradores ‘gota a gota’ Vanguardia Liberal,¿sería un error?”, 7 February 2008.