Human Rights Groups Condemn Murder of Colombian Governor

By Sovereign Hager

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia-Human rights groups are condemning the attempted kidnapping and murder of Luis Francisco Cuellar, the governor of Caquetá. The Colombian government says that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) murdered the governor in retaliation for his promise of a “safe democracy” and crackdown on rebel groups.

The governor’s son told the press that his father was murdered because he refused to walk with the kidnappers. He had severe knee pain from four previous abductions, dating back to before he was governor and had reportedly told his son that he would not walk if he was abducted again

The FARC have not confirmed or denied responsibility for the murder. Senior FARC leaders reportedly have decreased control over their units since severe government strikes over past years. There is speculation that the recent killing will thwart the scheduled release of two FARC hostages.

Amnesty International condemned the killing of a civilian government official. “Civilians in Colombia should not be forced to be part of this conflict,” said a Colombia researcher for Amnesty International. Human Rights Watch stated that the killings showed that “the FARC is once again showing its ruthlessness and complete disregard for the laws of war and the well-being of civilians”

President Uribe has rejected a political dialogue with FARC, which has been fighting the government for forty-five years. The FARC seek to swap its highest profile prisoners for the 500 guerrillas in government jails.

For more information, please see:

Asia One News-Murdered Colombian Governor “Refused to Walk:” Son-24 December 2009

Amnesty International-Amnesty Condemns Killing of Caquetá Governor-23 December 2009

Relief Web-Caquetá Governor Abducted and Killed

Author: Impunity Watch Archive