Colombian Paramilitary
Revival Feared
BOGOTA - Political analysts called on
Thursday the threats by illegal armed groups
against 50 civil organizations in Colombia a
revival of paramilitarism in this country.
Spokespeople of the Administrative
Department of Security (DAS) confirmed that
the police institution will make inquiries
about supposed letters addressed to
different civil forums by the self-called
Los Rastrojos group.
Those that have been affected so far are
around 60 non-governmental organizations
(NGO), politicians, union leaders, teachers,
student leaders and civil rights group
leaders.
The Consultancy for Human Rights and
Displacement said the so-called Los
Rastrojos (ex United Self-Defense members)
declared civil groups as Crear, Nuevo
Arcoiris, Fundepaz and Movice, as military
targets.
They also denounced threats against the
United Nations Development Program and
Congressmen Guillermo Jaramillo and Jorge
Robledo, and Alexander Lopez, member of the
opposition Polo Democratico, a left-wing
political guild.
The gang gained significance in Valle del
Cauca province, after partial demobilization
in 2006 of the United Self-Defense of
Colombia, the largest paramilitary commando
group in the history of this country.
A public communique issued by Los Rastrojos
orders the NGOs to stop a supposed
collaboration with guerrilla groups and "put
the archaic subversive discourse aside."
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