Paramilitary group ‘Aguilas negras’ distributed pamphlets threatening
officials of the Ombudsman’s office in the department of Magdalena in
northern Colombia.
The threatening pamphlet states that officials from the Ombudsman’s office, government agency Acción Social and leaders of displaced peoples movements are taking advantage of the needs of the displaced in Colombia to swindle the State.
“These people will be eradicated,” the pamphlet states.
Magdalena Ombudsman Liceth Peñaranda Peña, expressed concern over the pamphlets but said she was more worried about leaders of the displaced population, who are being assassinated.
Peñaranda added that this was the first time employees from her office had been threatened. She said
“As a public institution that defends human rights, we have always acted in agreement with the Constitution,” she said.
According to El Tiempo the Ministery for the Interior was made aware of the threats issued.
This latest incident follows the arrest of 19 people in relation to the distribution of threatening pamphlets. The
arrests were made after the police offered 10 million pesos reward for
information leading to the capture of those responsible.
Several paramilitary groups have been linked to the distribution of menacing pamphlets.