The U.S. Ambassador to Bogota William Brownfield stated that the emergence of new criminal groups in Colombia is a problem that must be resolved, but was careful to add that Human Rights Watch (HRW) does not speak for his government.
Brownfield was responding to a damning report released by HRW on Wednesday, which criticised the Colombian government’s response to the rise of new violent groups which have taken the place of demobilized paramilitaries.
HRW also commented that Colombia’s human rights record could prevent the passage of the long-awaited U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement.
Brownfield said his government will do what it can to help in the fight against criminal groups.
The diplomat said at the end of January that U.S. Congress is unlikely to ratify its free trade agreement with Colombia this year.