According to rights groups, 123 social leaders have been assassinated between January 1, 2018 and July 5, 2018. The statement highlights that 40% of the criminal acts against social leaders in the last 30 months have occurred in Southwestern Colombia. On August 9, a menacing letter from the Black Eagle Paramilitary group was sent to 10 different social organizations and 21 social leaders promising the continued counteraction against social leaders who oppose the political vision of Iva'n Duque. One day later indigenous leader and coordinator of the Guadualito Guard Emiliano Trochez Yonda Camayo of Northern Cauca was murdered (see above). That same day, telephone threats were made to Magaly Pino, a social leader associated with the National Agricultural Coordinator (Coordinador Nacional Agrario, CNA) and the Congress of the People. These threats were right after Pino participated in the Human Rights Forum organized by the Ministry of the Interior and the Valle Governorship.
Indigenous Teenager Suffers Serious Injuries after Explosion (Cauca)
On July 28, the ONIC reported that 17 year-old Ana Yamilet Yule Rivera was seriously injured and hospitalized after an explosion in her farm in Jambalà �, Cauca. The Jambalà � indigenous is subjected to threats, killings, and anti-personnel landmines.
Armed Men Roam at Large in Embera Chami Indigenous Reserve (Risaralda)
Since July 9, hooded, armed men in motorbikes have stalked and threated individuals in the Embera Chami reserve located in Pueblo Rico, Risaralda. The ONIC reported the men were inquiring about the whereabouts of already threatened leaders Raà �l Guasiruma Nacabera, Rodrigo Nacavera Guaciruma Martà n Sia'gama Gutie'rrez, and Luis Albeiro Onà �gama Guasiruma. The Black Eagle Paramilitary group is suspected of the threats due to their increased activity in the area. All though the UNP has given the leaders a security detail, a cellular phone, and a bullet proof vest, these measures have proved insufficient and disarticulated from the territorial and cultural reality of indigenous leaders. The ONIC is calling for collective protection measures and security details that are familiarized with the territory and community.
Threats to Afro-Colombian Leaders Involved in Peace Implementation (Cauca)
On August 9, the Afro-Colombian Association of Community Councils of Northern Cauca (Asociacià �n de Consejos Comunitarios del Norte del Cauca) reported that leaders and human rights defenders Luis Alfredo Bonilla, Gary Escobar, and Roassana Mejà a Caicedo, received a death threat for their involvement in the implementation of the peace accord. The leaders woke up at 3:57am to a text that condemned their life because of their active participation in land restitution efforts, the planning of the Territorial Development Plans, and other projects under the accord's framework.
COCCAM Substitution Leader Displaced Due to Death Threats (Caqueta')
On July 12, the National Coordinator of Coca, Poppy, and Marijuana Cultivators (Coordinadora Nacional de Cultivadores de Coca, Amapola y Marijuana, COCCAM) reported that recurring death threats aimed at Balvino Polo Hurtado forced him out of his home. Balvino is a member of the COCCAM political national commission and an ardent supporter of the National Program for Integral Substitution (Programa Nacional Integral de Sustitucià �n, PNIS). On January 27, an unknown person aggressively approached Balvino's vehicle and warned him not to go back to his house in Montaà �ita. Two months later he returned to his house where he received a call reminding him that he was told not to return. On July 12, he was threatened and told to quit the PNIS or be declared a military target. Due to the recurring death threats, Balvino has not returned home and continues to live separated from his family.
Union Leader Threatened in Cartagena (Bolivar)
On July 16, the Secretary General of the Biofilm Workers Union (El Sindicato de Trabajadores de Biofilm, SINTRABIOFILM), Daniel T. Polo Lidueà �a received death threats via several WhatsApp messages. Lidueà �a was told that if he wanted war then he would receive it. The messages went on to threaten Lidueà �a and his family. The unidentified messenger made allusions to Lidueà �a's family, hoping to intimidate him, and warned him that he could be disappeared. At that point Lidueà �a decided to block the number and report it to the authorities. SINTRABIOFILM has been the target of various threats over the years and has been included on several lists of highest-risk unions in the Department of Bolivar.
Security Situation Deteriorating for Afro-Colombian Leaders in the Pacific Coast (Cauca)
On August 6, the Coordinator for Community Councils and Organizations of the Black Cauca Pacific Coast (Coordinacià �n de Consejos Comunitarios y Organizaciones de Base del Pueblo Negro de la Costa Pacà fica del Cauca, COCOCAUCA) emitted a press release denouncing the mounting death threats received by its members and leadership during June and July. An assassination attempt on one of its leaders and multiple letters from the Black Eagles have frightened COCOCAUCA leaders and their families. A majority of them have been declared "military targets" unless they leave their homes and communities.
Rural Farmer Leaders and Community Received Paramilitary Death Threat (Magdalena)
On July 16, the Colombian Association of Rural Farmers (Asociacià �n Campesina de Colombia, ASOGRAS) reported that Cesar Augusto Tamayo, President of ASOGRAS, Victor Manuel Garcia Carvajalino, Secretary General of ASOGRAS, and other members of ASOGRAS where given 48 hours to leave their communities or be murdered instead. The letter circulated by the Black Eagles also warns they will conduct a purge of human rights defenders and petty criminals in the region. The ASOGRAS leaders are threatened for participating in the implementation of the peace agreement with the FARC, as well as supporting candidate Gustavo Petro in the past presidential elections.
Indigenous Leader and Teacher Threatened in Valle del Cauca
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