Colombia: Mayor of a municipality in Catatumbo leaves the country due to threats from armed groups

Ider Humberto Álvarez Garcíamayor of the municipality Bethlehem beachin the troubled region of the catatumbo of Colombiaon the border with Venezuelahad to leave the country due to the constant threats and attacks by armed groups that he has received since he began his mandate in 2020.

The mayor of this municipality of North of Santander left the country on Wednesday after the armed groups that operate in that area, including dissidents from the FARC and the National Liberation Army (ELN), have demanded up to 150 million pesos (37,000 dollars) for not ending his life.

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Likewise, he made the decision to resign his position as mayor by means of a letter sent to the governor of North of Santander, Silvano Serranoin which he stressed that the situation to carry out his work was unsustainable due to the serious threats and violent actions against him.

“The groups outside the law do not show signs of peace, therefore, it is very complex to challenge the groups to be able to exercise our trade. I will not be a martyr in a senseless war; the safety of the entire community in the territories must be guaranteed, that we are comfortable and calmAlvarez said.

The mayor lamented the lack of support from the National governmentsince the president of the municipality of tibu (in North Santander), nelson loyalis also threatened by the armed groups that operate in the catatumboand dispatch remotely from cucutathe departmental capital.

attempts on his life

The first attack on Álvarez occurred last year and occurred on the road that connects the municipalities of The beach with Ocana, the vehicle being hit 15 times by men traveling on a motorcycle. In this event, the now former mayor was unharmed, but one of the men who accompanied them in his security scheme was injured.

“I have received death threats on several occasions, which is why I have had to dispatch from Cúcuta”, the official told the media on that occasion.

Due to this fact, the president was forced to carry out his work from the Colombian city that borders Venezuela and later in Ocaña, but when he wanted to return to his town, at the beginning of June, he was harassed by rifle bursts from the hills. neighboring. Álvarez took refuge in the City Hall and then escaped through a window.

In a recent security council held in Cúcuta, the Defense Minister, Ivan Velasquezhad given the order to local rulers to carry out their work from their municipalities, despite the fact that there were no guarantees of returning safely.

Mayors ask the Government for guarantees

On her side, the Colombian Federation of Municipalities (Fedemunicipios), said in a statement that “More than 20 years ago a mayor did not resign his position due to threats to his integrity”, while reiterating to the national government its request to reinforce the security of the country, especially that of local leaders.

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They also insisted that the government should “provide guarantees for the electoral exercise to be held on October 29”, in which Colombians will also elect governors, regional deputies, councilors and local administration boards.

Likewise, they recalled that in recent days the Federation together with the Ombudsman held a meeting with mayors from the areas most affected by the violence in which the local leaders denounced the difficult situation in the “deep colombia” and “to date the situation has not changed”.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.