Colombia's opposition supporters told "the only way left is death"

Source: Colombia Reports


by Adriaan Alsema May 31, 2019

Colombia’s opposition parties reiterated their concern on Thursday after far-right group “Aguilas Negras” threatened to kill “all leftist followers of Senator Gustavo Petro,” who lost last year’s election to President Ivan Duque.

The Aguilas Negras, an elusive group that is allegedly tied to far-right elements within the military, has dramatically increased its intimidation of leftists and human rights defenders ever since they first appeared in 2006.

In their latest threat, the group specifically vowed to kill seven women’s rights activists, including Petro’s ex-wife, and warned that “all leftist followers of guerrilla Gustavo Petro” are targets.

According to the Aguilas Negras, “our arms will impose the justice that others have failed to carry out.”

Hundreds of community leaders and human rights defenders have been assassinated since the beginning of a peace process in 2016 that converted former guerrilla group FARC in a political party and empowered democratic opposition forces like that of Petro to take part in politics.

Read more: https://colombiareports.com/colombias-opposition-supporters-told-the-only-way-left-is-death/