Friends,
Members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó living in the village of La Esperanza -- one of eleven villages that make up the community -- have received increased paramilitary threats in recent weeks. We need your help to ensure peace for La Esperanza.
On Nov. 14 and 28, armed men identified as paramilitaries entered the village to speak with residents. On the latter occasion, they identified themselves as paramilitaries, demanded future collaboration from village members, ordered the closure of the village's two stores, and started limiting the amount of food residents can bring up to their families from town. In addition to being inside village limits, many paramilitaries are present in the surrounding area, operating checkpoints along the paths. On Nov. 22, paramilitary and guerrilla gunmen reportedly engaged in intensive combat nearby.
Please take action now!
Express your concern to the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, Michael McKinley, about the paramilitary presence around La Esperanza. Urge him to call the XVII Brigade and ensure that the Colombian government is doing everything in its power to protect the peace community members as well as civilians in the region.
Send a message to Ambassador McKinley and call for peace!
Background
Paramilitaries, collaborating with the Colombian military, have been involved in the majority of the 195 deaths the Peace Community has suffered since it’s founding in 1997. In response to such violence, only a few low-ranking soldiers and paramilitaries have been tried and convicted. Paramilitaries in the past have also imposed food blockades, a violation of international law that heavily impacts families' ability to obtain food. With such a history of violence and impunity, in addition to both paramilitary threats and heavy guerrilla presence in La Esperanza, it is certain to put the civilians there in danger.
Please ask Ambassador McKinley to ensure the Colombian government is protecting La Esperanza!
--Jon, Gina, Emily, Elisabeth, Charlotte, Liza, John and Susana of the Fellowship of Reconciliation Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean |
