/ / COLOMBIA: THREATS AGAINST VICTIMS, ACTIVISTS AND LAWYER

COLOMBIA: THREATS AGAINST VICTIMS, ACTIVISTS AND LAWYER

UA: 114.26

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On October 18, 2026, Yessika Hoyos, a lawyer and human rights defender with the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collective (CAJAR), and Candelaria Barrios, Malena Martínez, and Juan David Díaz, members of the Sucre chapter of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE), received death threats after a conviction was issued in a legal case concerning the 2018 La Guaripa Massacre in Sucre department. MOVICE and CAJAR members have faced related threats and denounced them since 2019.

We call on the Colombian Attorney General’s Office for a prompt and diligent investigation carried by the National Human Rights Unit.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: January 30, 2027

Here is how you can take action:

Send an letter to the Colombian authorities
Send an email to the Colombian authorities
Post on social media

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

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Step 1

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials.

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You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide.

Remember to send your letter by January 30, 2027.

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Sample Letter

Dear Attorney General,

I am concerned about the situation of the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collective (CAJAR) and the Sucre chapter of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE). On October 18, 2026, lawyer Yessika Hoyos and MOVICE activists Candelaria Barrios, Malena Martínez, and Juan David Díaz received text messages containing death threats saying that if a person recently convicted goes to jail, Candelaria, Malena, and Juan David should remain silent or “buy a casket.”

These threats follow a September 2026 conviction by the Superior Tribunal of Sincelejo against four individuals in connection with the January 2018 La Guaripa Massacre, in Sucre department, in which brothers Humberto Escobar, Preliciano Mercado, and Eusebio Osorio were killed. Yessika Hoyos serves as legal counsel for the victims’ families and MOVICE’s Sucre chapter has permanently supported them. Since 2019, Candelaria Barrios and Malena Martínez have received threats linked to the judicial proceedings. In September 2026, Candelaria and six other members of MOVICE’s Sucre chapter also received threatening text messages demanding them to leave their territory.

CAJAR and MOVICE filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office regarding the recent death threats, requesting an investigation. The complaint was assigned to a Prosecutor’s Office in the city of Cartagena, Bolívar department. I urge you to reassign the investigation to the National Human Rights Unit so that it promptly and diligently investigates the threats, applies the methodologies for investigating attacks and threats against human rights defenders, guarantees CAJAR and MOVICE’s participation in the proceedings, and brings those suspected of responsibility to justice with due process guarantees.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Sample Social Post

Death threats against CAJAR lawyer Yessika Hoyos & MOVICE activists Candelaria Barrios, Malena Martínez, & Juan David Díaz must be investigated immediately. Colombia’s National Human Rights Unit should take the case and ensure justice @ColombiaEmbUSA #UrgentActionNetworkAIUSA

Send a Tweet to @ColombiaEmbUSA

Step 2

Send your message

Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

Luz Adriana Camargo

Attorney General

Attorney General’s Office

Avenida Calle 24 No. 52-01

Bogotá, D.C., Colombia

[email protected]

and

CC: Colombian Embassy in the United States

Ambassador María Consuelo Araújo Castro

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

1724 Massachusetts Ave, NW,

Washington, DC 20036

[email protected] @ColombiaEmbUSA

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

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