Paramilitary Resurgence Wreaks Terror

[Judi Lynn]

Paramilitary Resurgence Wreaks Terror
Dec 9 2008
Annalise Romoser

The people of Tierralta in northern Colombia thought that the worst was finally behind them. In the mid 1990s, the town had been a hotbed of paramilitary violence, causing droves of residents to repeatedly flee combat, threats, and indiscriminate killings. But a government-sponsored demobilization of paramilitary militias in 2004 was supposed to change all that.

“We had to leave our lands because they were contaminated with paramilitaries," says one resident. "They are the reason we left the first time, and they are the reason we left the second time.” Those fleeing joined the ranks of Colombia's nearly four million internal refugees violently forced from their homes. But on the heels of the widely publicized demobilization of an estimated 30,000 paramilitaries—and after two displacements—many families returned with hope to Tierralta.

They began to re-establish themselves, believing the demobilization might finally bring some peace to their town. The renewed presence of small businesses, crops, and strong churches signaled a new sense of security and stability.

Azael Hernández returned in 2004 and established a modest convenience store. He became an active member of the Getsemani Protestant church and did his best to help his fellow displaced families trying to rebuild their lives. The community came to respect Azael as a strong community member.

Last June 15, the newfound stability of Tierralta was shattered when alleged members of a re-organized paramilitary group known as the "Black Eagles" kidnapped Azael. His disappearance led to an anguished eight-day search in which his family and church members unsuccessfully scoured the countryside for his body. The search team discovered a death-threat list circulating in the town with Azael Hernández's name and those of 11 other people. Issued by the Black Eagles, the list sent such panic throughout the community that by the end of the month, 27 families had fled Tierralta, many facing displacement for a third time.

"They had a list of 12 and it started with my husband. It was very hard on us to learn this," explains Azael's wife. "Now we are afraid everybody is at risk.” The mother of four presumes her husband was killed and his body thrown over a nearby hydroelectric dam.

More:
http://nacla.org/node/5307