CPTnet
7 June 2005
COLOMBIA: CPT delegation accosted by U.S. and Colombian security personnel
On May 27, the Colombian national police and security personnel from the
American Embassy in Bogotá accosted A Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT)
delegation outside the gates of the Embassy. The incident followed a
lengthy discussion between CPT delegates and human rights officers Kiersten
Stansen and Jerome Hohman of the U.S. embassy in Bogota. The delegates had
used this opportunity to advocate for the U.S. to place less emphasis on
"professionalizing" the Colombian military and more on supporting displaced
peoples and refugees. They also urged the U.S. to denounce more explicitly
human rights violations, and encourage the Colombian government to expand
social and economic development.
Upon leaving this meeting, Michael Ross, a CPT delegate from Lunenburg, Nova
Scotia asked Stansen if he could video the US Embassy property. She
explicitly told him to wait until the group was outside the gate and "off
U.S. soil" so that they would not disturb Embassy security. In compliance,
Ross began filming the Embassy from outside the gate when an unidentified
U.S. official, using a cell phone, apparently contacted the Colombian
authorities. Two armed Colombian policemen immediately approached Ross.
Since Ross does not speak Spanish, communication quickly broke down and
tensions began to mount. Anton Flores, the CPT delegation leader from
LaGrange, Georgia, sought to intervene by restating that they had received
permission to film, nevertheless, he reassured the police officers that Ross
would cease his filming. The Colombian policemen seemed satisfied with this
explanation and the delegates proceeded to leave.
However, while awaiting their ride, three additional national police
officers on horseback passed the delegates and conversed with the other
officers. Also, an official Colombian government van soon arrived, carrying
plain-clothed authorities. Ross and Flores were escorted by the Colombian
National police back to the gate of the U.S. Embassy. More American and
Colombian authorities began to convene and one Colombian official began
videotaping. The Colombian authorities briefly confiscated Mr. Ross's
tape. The police repeatedly requested the delegation's passports. Flores
refused to comply and insisted upon speaking with Stansen.
John Keith, chief of security, and U.S. Marines arrived soon thereafter.
Mr. Keith told the Colombian officials that no authorization had been given
to film. The chief demanded to know what was on the tape. Ross and Flores
both reasserted that Stansen had given explicit permission to film. Mr.
Keith insisted that the tape be erased or Colombian officials would take the
delegation into custody for an interrogation that could possibly lead to
detention or even deportation. Ross complied by erasing the tape in Keith's
presence. Keith informed the delegation that this day was the anniversary
of the formation of the FARC, a Colombian leftist guerilla group, and that
this occasion had both governments on a higher state of alert to movements
and actions outside their official buildings. Keith concluded the incident
by saying, "You picked a bad day to film."
[The Christian Peacemaker Team in Barrancabermeja notes changes in the
June 7 CPTnet article, "CPT delegation accosted by U.S. and Colombian security
personnel." In later conversations with Kiersten Stiansen of the US Embassy,
she asserted that she at no time suggested to the delegation that they had
permission to take photographs or film any part of the Embassy property
or the surrounding area. Stiansen also requested that it be noted that John
Keith, Chief of Security, was amiable
and helpful with the CPT delegates.]
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