Democracy

Business owners in northwest Colombia are conspiring with death squads to assassinate social leaders and prevent the restitution of land that was stolen during Colombia’s decades-long armed conflict, according to several Colombian NGOs.

It has never been a deadlier time to defend one’s community, way of life or environment, especially in Latin America.

A former military police officer and former fire fighter have been detained on suspicion of involvement in the killing of Black activist and Rio de Janeiro city councillor Marielle Franco, along with her driver Anderson Gomes on March 14.

Candlelight vigils were held in Colombia and cities around world on July 6 to demand an end to the political violence that since January has cost the lives of more than 125 social leaders in the South American country.

Political violence against social activists has risen in recent years despite the signing of a peace accord between the government and the leftist guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). According to Colombia’s Ombudsman, more than 311 political murders have been registered since the accords were signed in November 2016.