Violence in Colombia displacing more people into Ecuador

[Judi Lynn]

Violence in Colombia displacing more people into Ecuador
12 Apr 2012 16:13
Source: Content partner // UNHCR

SAN LORENZO, Ecuador, April 12 (UNHCR) - Senor Padilla, his wife and two of their children escaped to the small Ecuadorean port of San Lorenzo in late February, joining the growing number of people fleeing fresh violence in nearby Colombia.

"We came because two paramilitary factions and one guerrilla group were wreaking havoc in the area where we lived. They are killing a lot of the local people," Padilla told UNHCR. Growing numbers of people have been arriving in northern Ecuador's Esmeraldas province this year and asking for asylum. Like Padilla, they cite increased violence across the border.

~snip~
"Many people may think that perhaps there is no more conflict in Colombia, but the reality is that we continue to see thousands fleeing the increasingly volatile areas and fragmented fighting," she said, adding that the border area was dangerous.

"Just last year, 15 refugees or asylum-seekers were assassinated in the province of Esmeraldas. There is also an increased presence of illegal armed groups along the border and they operate in the region and foster systemic human rights violations," Elizondo added.

More:
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/violence-in-colombia-displacing-more-people-into-ecuador

[txlibdem]

1. But how could that be???

We "freed" them from un-Capitalism. They should be dancing in the streets.

[fellow23]

2. looking for rabs

Hello Judi,
I looking for sb that knows the user rabs (Latin-America-Group). At the old homepage of democraticunderground I found some material from rabs (about Sao Paulo) I´d like to use in a magazine. Maybe you could help me to find him?

For your help thank you very much in advance

Albert

[Judi Lynn]

3. Albert, I tried to imagine how to reach him, as well.

I've known rabs before DU, and a couple of other boards, or 3, going back well over 10 years.

I truly miss his far more informed views here. He is a person I've respected from the first, along with many other people.

I worry that he's been ill, or possibly left the country to live elsewhere. Just don't know.

I do know that he was an occassional reader here, even when he didn't have time to participate. Maybe he'll see your question, and get in touch to contact you about this. He reads a wide variety of sources in several languages. I'm sure it's more than possible anything really good may have come from a source in the other Americas.

Sorry I couldn't help. It may not all be lost, yet, if he sees your post.