The Organization of American States (OAS) said Wednesday that one peace observer has been threatened with death unless she stops observing the government's peace process with right-wing paramilitaries.
Argentine native Sergio Caramagna, head of the OAS peace mission in Colombia, said the observer received her death threat from Colombia's right-wing paramilitary group United Self Defense (AUC) in Medellin.
Caramagna said the threat occurred on Nov. 13 at the Tres de Medellin commune when the diplomat was there for an event.
A man with a helmet neared the diplomat's chauffeur, threatening to kill the diplomat if she refused to leave the country.
Caramagna did not disclose the diplomat's name and rank out of the consideration of her safety.
"Fears are generally started in Commune Tres but the (OAS) mission is going to redouble efforts in those zones, this is the first time this occurs in four years of tours but we assume this task's risk," Caramagna said.
The OAS is observing the peace process with the AUC paramilitaries. Some 31,000 right-wing fighters disarmed in 2006 under a 2003 peace accord in exchange for reduced jail sentences of no more than eight years. Source: Xinhua/agencies
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