After conducting and publishing an interview with an ex-paramilitary leader, 10 Colombian journalists were threatened in Santa Marta, Magdalena, reported the news agency EFE. The threats appeared to originate from a gang of demobilized paramilitary members, the agency added.
In a radio interview, jailed ex-leader of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC in Spanish) Tayrona block, Jesús Gelvez "The Gray," told Radio Magdalena reporter Alejandro Arias there were several agreements between the illegal paramilitary group and politicians across the country, including the current mayor of Santa Marta, Carlos Caicedo, according to UPI's website.
Threatening pamphlets were found by another Radio Magdalena reporter on his motorcycle on the evening of Friday, Sept. 14, reported the AFP news agency. The pamphlets included the names of 10 journalists, including Arias' and others that broadcasted the interview on local television, reported the agency.
Note from the editor: This story was originally published by the Knight Center’s blog Journalism in the Americas, the predecessor of LatAm Journalism Review.
