Protester Killed During Colombia Protests

[Judi Lynn]

May 16, 2006, 10:57PM
Protester Killed During Colombia Protests

By SERGIO DE LEON Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia — Farmers and members of indigenous tribes clashed on Tuesday with police during protests against a free-trade agreement with the U.S. and the re-election of President Alvaro Uribe, and protest leaders said an Indian farmer was killed.

Some 30 more were injured, five of them seriously, in the violence in the village of Piendamo, 210 miles southwest of the capital of Bogota.

Protesters complained of police brutality, while authorities accused leftist rebels of organizing the demonstrations to disrupt May 28 presidential elections.
(snip)

The free-trade talks with Washington have been hotly debated in this South American country. Uribe _ who currently leads his closest opponent by 40 points in polls _ has touted the economic benefits of increased trade with the world's largest economy.

Farmers' groups, however, say their members will be unable to compete with heavily subsidized U.S. agricultural exports.
(snip/)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/3868753.html

[struggle4progress]

1. .

:kick:

[Judi Lynn]

2. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: Colombia: Allegations of excessive use of force

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Public Statement

AI Index: AMR 23/024/2006 (Public)
News Service No: 129
17 May 2006

Colombia: Allegations of excessive use of force
Amnesty International is concerned that the security forces may have used disproportionate and excessive force on 16 May 2006 against indigenous, peasant-farmer and afro-descendent people during a demonstration on the Panamerican Highway, in several areas of Cauca department.

On the morning of 16 May, at least 15,000 people reportedly occupied the Panamerican Highway around the area of La María, in the municipality of Piendamó, in the department of Cauca. Allegedly, they gathered to protest against economic and agrarian policies, as well as other policies which might have an impact on human rights, such as the protection of impunity in many human rights abuses cases.

In clearing the highway of demonstrators, the security forces reportedly shot at and used tear gas on demonstrators, and allegedly three army helicopters also took part in this action. Demonstrators are said to have thrown stones at security forces.

Amnesty International is concerned that at least one person was reportedly killed, Pedro Coscué, a member of an indigenous community living in the area, apparently by gunshots.

According to information received, at least 50 people were injured during the action, including several members of the security forces and a twelve-year-old child.

Of the injured, at least three people have suffered fire-arm wounds after reportedly being shot at by security forces, in the area of El Pital, in the municipality of Caldono. Amnesty International is seriously concerned that ambulances and medical staff are alleged to have been prevented from entering the area to treat these three people for at least several hours. There are also reports which indicate that there are several people are missing.
(snip/...)

http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/document.do?id=ENGAMR230242006

[Peter Frank]

3. K & R...

This is so for away. Nothing like this could ever happen here :mad:

[Judi Lynn]

4. Miami Herald: Pro-Uribe vote fraud cited

Posted on Thu, May. 18, 2006email thisprint this
COLOMBIA
Pro-Uribe vote fraud cited
Some Colombian election officials said there was fraud in the 2002 balloting that benefited President Alvaro Uribe.
BY GERARDO REYES AND STEVEN DUDLEY
[e-mail]

EL DIFICIL, Colombia - Amid the biggest Colombian scandal since drug traffickers helped finance a presidential candidacy, electoral judges and voters in this remote town are supporting allegations of vote fraud in 2002 that favored President Alvaro Uribe.

Right-wing paramilitary fighters forced election judges to fill in uncast votes for the conservative Uribe and discard votes for his rival, Liberal Party candidate Horacio Serpa, three of the judges here told The Miami Herald.

The judges' comments support recent accusations by Rafael García, a former official at the security agency known as DAS, similar to the FBI. Colombia's media and several nongovernment organizations have regularly made parallel allegations in recent weeks, and the attorney general's office opened an investigation into the fraud charges last week.

Coming ahead of balloting May 28 in which Uribe is expected to win a second term, the allegations have unleashed the country's biggest scandal since the 1994 presidential race, when drug lords contributed $6 million to former President Ernesto Samper's campaign.

The scandal also has highlighted Uribe's strong support among the illegal and notoriously brutal paramilitary groups fighting leftist guerrillas. More than 30,000 paramilitaries have put down their guns since 2004 as part of peace talks with the government, and Uribe has promised not to extradite some of their leaders -- wanted on U.S. drug charges -- if they stay with the peace process.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14605796.htm



Alvaro Uribe and friend

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Students with their bodies painted protest against government and Free Trade Agreement with US in Medellin in Colombia
15 May 2006

Students with their bodies painted protest in downtown Medellin, Colombia, May 15, 2006. Dozens of students protested against President Alvaro Uribe's government and the Free Trade Agreement (TLC) with the US.
REUTERS/ALBEIRO LOPERA

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/pictures/BOG03D.htm