AMERICA/COLOMBIA - The inhabitants of port of Buenaventura subjected to "collective torture"

Wednesday, 10 June 2015

Buenaventura (Agenzia Fides) - The capture of Carlos Quintero, one of the most feared bosses of the criminal gang "La Empresa" which controls the port of Buenaventura (Colombia), and which is said to be the instigator of several horrific murders. The note with the report of the "Historical Memory Center", sent to Fides, remembers how violence has been "anchored" in the port for more than 35 years. While other regions have seen a decrease in violence with murder, Buenaventura remains at alarming levels. (See Fides 20/01/2015)
Just like the gang of Quintero, according Historical Memory, other criminals have taken the path of terror through the "casas de pique" (places prepared to torture and dismember the victims). According to the report entitled "Buenaventura: a port without community", the inhabitants of the port are subjected to "collective torture". Human Rights Watch says that, from 2013 until March 2015, dismembered remains of 32 people were found in Buenaventura. Of these, 16 cases occurred after March last year.
Buenaventura has 370,000 inhabitants, 46 per cent under 18, and violence has affected more young people and women. According to the Historical Memory, between 2000 and 2014, 28 people disappeared or fled every day. The study also stresses 475 disappearances between 1990 and 2013; 26 massacres with 201 deaths in 18 years and an average of 170 attacks and clashes per year. The area is disputed between the gangs and the FARC, which increases the tension among the population.
The Bishop of Buenaventura, His Exc. Mgr. Hector Epalza, denounced repeatedly (the last time last week) the authorities’ neglect and indifference with regards to this situation. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 10/06/2015)


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