By Margaret Janelle R. Hutchinson
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTÁ, Colombia – 10 peasant farmworkers were brutally massacred in the northwestern region of the country Wednesday evening, allegedly for failure to make an extortion payment to a violent paramilitary successor group, which gunned them down in a scene described by a local official as “something out of hell.”

After the farmworkers had finished picking fruit for the day, three men approached the farm’s foreman and asked if the owner had been paying protection money.  When he replied that they didn’t know of any payment, the men opened fired, indiscriminately shooting, first handguns, then rifles, and finally launching a hand grenade at the farmworkers, according to one survivor.

“This case has shocked us for the barbaric, brutal way that they murdered these completely innocent people,” said Police Gen. David Guzman.  9 men and 1 woman were killed in the massacre.

The owner of the farm, in the municipality of Santa Rosa de Osos, about 275 kilometres (170 miles) northeast of the capital of Bogotá, was apparently being extorted by a paramilitary group, local officials said.

Local officials and police, from Santa Rosa de Osos, suspect that the bloodbath was the work of a violent offshoot of the Norte del Valle cartel, involved in drug trafficking, extortion and murder.

Known as paramilitary successor groups, these criminal bands are heavily armed drug-trafficking gangs that emerged following the ostensible demobilization of the AUC militia federation in 2006.

The group thought to be responsible in this case, Los Rastrojos or The Scraps, is also blamed for the last major massacre in Colombia, in August of 2009, where 12 members of the Awa indigenous tribe were killed in southwestern Narino state.  Yesterday’s massacre took place in the northwestern Antioquia province, roughly 200 miles from Narino.

A report from the Indepaz think tank released in February said the paramilitary successor groups Los Rastrojos, Los Urabeños, Las Aguilas Negras, Los Paisas and ERPAC had a presence last year in 406 municipalities in 31 Colombian provinces.

Meaning, the groups have expanded their influence by 147 municipalities from 2008, when they were active in 259 of the Andean nation’s 1,110 municipalities.

Local businessmen from Santa Rosa de Osos, have reported a rise in extortion in the area.

They have recounted how members of criminal gangs have been going around the area demanding payments, which they adjust according to the earnings of each individual victim.

According to their reports, the payments have varied from $50 for day laborers to $50,000 for owners of large agricultural businesses.

Francisco Jair Lopera, mayor of Santa Rosa de Osos, called the massacre a source of national shame.

A National Police spokesperson said the regional National Police commander, Col. Jose Gerardo Acevedo, traveled Wednesday night to the massacre site, at La España tamarillo farm, to coordinate efforts to track down the assailants.

For further information, please see:

The Associated Press – 10 peasants killed in Colombian massacre – 8 November 2012

BBC News – Ten Colombian farmworkers killed ‘by extortion gang’ – 8 November 2012

Hispanically Speaking News – Blog del Narco: 10 Farmworkers Massacred by Colombian Drug Trafficking Gang – 8 November 2012

Huffington Post – Los Rastrojos, Colombia Drug Cartel, Massacre 10 Peasants Near Bogota – 8 November 2012

Latin American Herald Tribune – 10 Farmworkers Massacred in Colombia – 8 November 2012

The Province – 10 peasants killed by drug-trafficking paramilitaries in Colombia’s worst massacre since 2009 – 8 November 2012

SF Gate – 10 peasants killed in Colombia massacre – 8 November 8, 2012

The Washington Post – 10 peasants killed by drug-trafficking paramilitaries in Colombia’s worst massacre since 2009 – 8 November 2012

 

 

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Argentina recently made a bold move and passed a new measure lowering the Latin Nations voting age to 16.

Passed by overwhelming support by the representatives of the lower house, it passed the Argentinian Chamber of Deputies early last week. However the discussion turned bitter as deputies from the Chamber saw accusations fly between members before the opposition walked out in disgust. Without any opposition left in the chamber the resolution passed 131 to 2.

Lauded by the younger generation, they will now follow Brazil, Ecuador and Nicaragua whose citizens can vote at age 16. Voting is compulsory for all argentines aged 18 and older, which includes some 29 million people. However it will be optional for those aged 16 and 17, which will grant the vote to 1.2 million more Argentinians for the 2013 election.

Critics believe that it was made with the intent of boosting the incumbent President Cristina Fernandez’s chances in her re-election campaign for 2013.  opponents have said this change is designed to increase support for the Victory Front coalition in the 2013 legislative elections. With greater support in both houses, these opponent s believe it is being made with the intention of allowing Fernandez to run again for the presidency in 2015.

While the Victory Front Coalition has a majority in both houses of Congress, she would need the support of two-thirds of legislators to change the constitution to allow the first female Argentinian president to seek a third term.

While President Fernandez has reiterated that she is simply expanding the liberties of the youth of Argentina. she has issued no comment on any plans to change the Argentinian constitution.

Despite this deputies in both house have gather over 100 signatures from the UCR, PRO and Socialism parties who have promised to vote down any constitutional reform which would allow president Fernandez to run for a new third term. However many of them will be no longer in the Chamber of Deputies when that happens, and many have speculated that the new youth vote will win new for the Victory Front Coalition.

Whatever occurs in the future, the youth of Argentina are static with their newfound civil liberties, This despite cynics who have referred to the youth as the one of the worst social problems in Argentina. Rep Eduardo Amadeo of the Peronist Front party continued “ Education is worse. The consumption of drugs is worse. Employment is worse…. and now the government has discovered them and they say, we are going to vote.”

For further information, please see:

Los Andes – Deputies Opponents Gathered 107 Signatures Against The Re-Election – 6 October 2012

BBC – Argentina Voting Age Lowered From 18 To 16 – 1 November 2012

Business Recorder  – Argentina Lowers Voting Age To 16 – 1 November 2012

Washington Post – Argentina Lowers Its Voting Age To 16 – 1 November 2012

By Margaret Janelle R. Hutchinson
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

 BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Serving members of Colombia’s police and military forces may gain the right to vote in elections if the constitutional amendment proposed by Senate Vice President Edgar Espindola Niño is adopted.

Citizens serving in the public armed forces have been denied the vote for the past 50 years, a legacy of President Alberto Lleras Camargo (1945-1946 / 1958-1962) who famously cast Colombia´s armed forces as “guarantors of democracy.” Neutrality was expected of these guardians.

Espindola and others who support the proposal argue that Colombia has changed dramatically over the past five decades and that the members of the military and police should be able to cast their ballots like every other Colombian citizen.  Though there would remain certain restraints on their political activity.

The proposal states: “Los miembros de la Fuerza Pública podrán ejercer la función del sufragio mientras permanezcan en servicio activo, pero no podrán intervenir en actividades o debates de partidos o movimientos politicos.”

This roughly translates to: Members of the public armed forces may engage in the act of voting while on active duty, but may not take part in activities or discussions of political parties or political movements.

Those who oppose the initiative, say that Colombia´s democracy is not ready for this change; that the possible abuses of power are too great.  They fear that allowing the near 460,000 active forces the vote could distort the electoral process.

They claim that the hierarchical nature, size, and “ideological cohesion” of the military would render it a political force unto itself, greater than any other political party or movement.  Specifically, there is a fear that the chain of command would dictate to subordinates how to cast their votes.

The language of the proposal makes clear that, legally, officers would not be able to participate in campaigning, but some level of trust would need to be placed in service members’ capacity to act independently inside the voting booth.

Should the current peace process between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) culminate in a legitimate peace agreement, senior military officials are concerned about becoming targets of FARC political action in a post-conflict state.

The demobilized FARC forces would be reintegrated into Colombian society, and, as citizens, would trade the power of the gun for the power of the vote.

Both the FARC and the military have committed atrocities during the five-decades long conflict. The military fears that even if amnesties are granted, their amnesties may end up revoked once the former FARC rise to political power.

Retired Colonel Hugo Bahamon recently stated, “Look at what has happened in Argentina and Chile, where, 20 years on, the guerrillas who threatened the state are in power, amnesties have been overturned and now [former soldiers] of 70 and 80 years of age are being imprisoned.”

To Colonel Bahamon and the rest of the military and police forces, gaining the vote would provide an additional security guarantee to avoid the path of their South American counterparts.

For further information, please see:

Colombia Reports – Colombia’[s] Police and Military to get the vote? – 4 November 2012

NACLA – The Military’s Human Rights Record and the Peace Process in Colombia – 3 November 2012

BBC – Colombia’s military faces challenges over peace talks – 24 October 2012

El Espectador – Fuerzas Militares quedarían facultadas para votar – 24 October 2012

By Brendan Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America 

BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Peace talks between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) continue in Oslo, Norway.

Since their inception in 1964 Latin Americas oldest revolutionary group has been striking terror throughout Colombia. The FARC rebels have been conducting military ambushes and kidnapping civilians and military personnel for years with the intent of disappearing them or ransoming them. Their reign of terror has been weakened in recent years, thanks to a continued increased military budget and U.S. backed security campaign. A temporary cease fire has been signed as leaders from FARC and the Colombia meet in Oslo to discuss the terms for the disbanding of the military group.

However those peace talks may be in jeopardy. On Halloween night in Pradera, over 5,000 Colombian children were out and about celebrating when the calm serene night was shattered by violence. A suitcase bomb exploded killing two suspected bombers and injuring another 37, seven of them children. Col. Nelson Ramirez the regional police chief believes the police station was the intended target. Pradera has always been a target for FARC who continually demand the area be ceded to them.

This is just the latest in a series of clashes that many believe can be attributed to FARC. Earlier in the month five soldiers were wounded in an apparent rebel ambush, while another two were killed when they activated a FARC installed landmine.

There have been quite a few attempts at peace since the 1980s. The latest in 2002 was almost successful, as then-President Andres Pastrana was about to grant the rebels a large portion of land. However in all too familiar fashion the peace talks broke down when the rebels launched a timely series of attacks in a bid to strengthen their position.  However the FARC claim they have no parallel agenda during their peace talks. That they hope that “The dialogue unfolds effectively, expeditiously, and in the shortest possible time.”

As the peace talks continue many items are still on the table. Beyond mere the demilitarization of FARC and the end to the kidnappings FARC is coming to the table with proposals and projects in order to implement radical socioeconomic reforms. However the issue of reintegration is still a large issue that needs to be discussed. If the peace talks are successful the question remains what will happen to rebel militants and the increased Colombian Army that was raised to combat FARC.

Despite these issues both sides have indicated a commitment to the “Construction of a stable and lasting peace.”

For further information, please see:

El Tiempo – Two Soldiers Killed When He Stepped On A Mine Field Installed By FARC – 3 November 2012

RCN Radio – FARC Say They Have No Parallel Agenda In Peace Process – 3 November 2012

El Pais – “There Is A Marriage Between The FARC And VAlle And Cauca BACRIM”: General Navas – 2 November, 2012

Fox News Latino – Halloween Bombing Kills 2, Injuries 36 In Colombia – 2 November 2012

CNN – Amid Peace Talks, Colombian Soldiers Killed  In Suspected Rebel Attack – 20 October, 2012

CNN – Colombia, FARC Rebels Begin Formal Peace Talks In Norway – 18 October, 2012

By Margaret Janelle R. Hutchinson
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASÍLIA, Brazil – According to the Governor of São Paulo State and Brazilian news sources, the alarming increase in violence in Brazil’s largest city over the past few months is due to direct orders from organized crime bosses to execute military police and members of rival criminal organizations.

The escalation of violence in the greater São Paulo area is unquestionably on the rise judging by the number of murders that occur every night in and around the city, the total number of homicides in the past month alone reaching over 160, according to today’s report.

But the violence is not limited to the metropolitan region.  Since September there have been roughly 600 murders throughout the state, approximately 100 of which were law enforcement officers.

The São Paulo state government, led by former opposition presidential candidate Geraldo Alckmin initially refused federal assistance to combat the increasing violence in his state.  Then barbs were exchanged between the São Paulo Secretary for Public Security and the Federal Minister of Justice this week.

State Security Secretary Antonio Ferreira Pinto publicly denied that he had been offered federal aid, which was resolutely refuted by the Ministry in a press release.

On Thursday, President Dilma Rousseff personally telephoned Governor Alckmin and offered to send Federal Police intelligence agents, and other assistance, to work with the civil and military police in São Paulo.

At a news conference the yesterday morning, Alckmin said he was open to discussing a solution in partnership with the federal government.

The President and Governor have agreed to commence meetings next week, members of the Secretary for Public Security, Secretary of Prison Administration and the Ministry of Justice, will begin to examine possible solutions to the security crisis.

Direct contact between the two leaders coincides with São Paulo’s “Operation Saturation” wherein state military police have conducted operations in the capital’s slums, called favelas.

Militarized police conducted an operation in the favela Paraisópolis, yesterday, in which 22 people were arrested and 15 weapons, 324 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 2.4 kilograms of cocaine, 254 kilograms of marijuana and 50 units of synthetic drugs were seized.

Paraisópolis is the only favela still under the control of the military police.

The escalation of violence in the richest region of the country is the worst since May 2006, when the organized crime group Primer Comando de la Capital (roughly translated to First Capital Command) carried out a series of attacks on police and civilian targets, bus fires, executions, and riots in some 50 prisons across the country.

The federal government intervened back in 2006 to help stop the violence.

As of yesterday there had been 83 murders committed in an 11 day period in Brazil’s largest city and financial capital.  Between that report and today another 19 people were shot and 10 died.

For further information, please see:

Correio do Brasil – Dilma oferece Exército para conter violência; Alckmin recusa – 3 November 2012

Folha de S.Paulo – Dez pessoas são mortas e um PM baleado em São Paulo – 3 November 2012

Jornal Hoje – Violência na região metropolitan de São Paulo provoca mais dez mortes – 3 November 2012

mdz – Brasil: violencia en Sao Paulo deja más de 160 muertes en un mes – 3 November 2012

Fox News – Violence continues in Brazil’s largest city – 2 November 2012