CPTnet
June 3, 2003
COLOMBIA: CPTers remain with family during paramilitary encampment

[Note: The Colombia team wishes to apologize for having sent out what they
intended to be a website blurb with the title, "Peacemakers detained by
Paramilitaries." The word "detain" has grave connotations in the Colombian
context. When the paramilitaries detain people, the victims often do not
survive. Below is the the actual article about the event.]

Two members of Christian Peacemaker Teams encountered over a dozen
paramilitaries during a routine accompaniment of the rural community of Los
Nieques Friday evening. The armed group was moving upriver visiting families
before stopping at one home to set up camp for the night. Concerned for the
family's safety, the team members decided to remain at the house throughout
the night.

After dark, the two team members attempted to leave the property to find a
better signal for their radio in order to check in with their teammates in
Barrancabermeja. The paramilitaries however insisted that no one was allowed
to move through the area at night for security concerns. Because the CPTers
did not want to escalate tensions and place the family at further risk, they
decided not to challenge the paramilitary-imposed restrictions and waited to
make a call until Saturday morning. The paramilitaries left the zone
Saturday afternoon.

Families living in the Los Nieques region of the Opon River have expressed
appreciation for CPT's protective presence when armed groups move through
the area. One family member told a member of an armed group, "Before CPT
arrived, the guerilla and paramilitary forces didn't respect us. The
Colombian army never respected us. Now that the gringos are here, they
respect us more."

The increased presence of armed groups in the Opon region poses an ongoing
threat to the communities. The team is concerned that whenever an armed
group remains in a community--for whatever length of time--the residents are
at risk of being caught in a firefight.