Rapid Response Network

assassination of Afro-descendant community leader and political organizer Temístocles Machado, a leader of the Black Communities Process (PCN), in Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca Dept.

false criminal charges against human rights defender Edwin Robelo Espinal, now in pre-trial detention in a high security prison for up to two years

unjust criminalization of María Magdalena Cuc Choc, environmental and indigenous land rights defender in Izabal Dept., involved in a land dispute between her Chabil’ Ch’och’ indigenous community and an investment company held by a former president and former government officials

assassination of TV reporter Igor Abisaí Padilla Chávez by four unidentified assailants in San Pedro Sula, Cortés Department

repressive actions by state security forces against pro-democracy demonstrators. Beaten: Diego Aguilar López and Wilmer Paredes (killed 2 weeks later) of MADJ (Broad Movement for Justice and Dignity). Public smear campaign against MADJ members Martín Fernándezand Víctor Fernández, social activists Karina Flores and Araminta Pereira, and Jesuit priest Fr. Ismael Moreno Coto (Radio Progreso).

killing of two members of indigenous community police force (CRAC-PC) by unknown attackers in Cacahuatepec, Guerrero; subsequent crackdown on the community by state and federal police and the army, killing three CRAC-PC members, detaining 30 CRAC-PC members, along with environmental defenders Marco Antonio Suástegi Muñoz and Vicente Suástegi Muñoz of CECOP (Council of Communal Lands and Communities Opposing the La Parota Dam).

violent crackdown by Honduran military against TV journalists covering Opposition Alliance demonstration in Tegucigalpa; injured: Cesar Silva, Rony Martinez, Pedro Amador, Claudia Mendoza. Congressional representative Jari Dixon also beaten.

death threat to Germán Graciano Posso, legal representative of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in Antioquia Department and subsequent armed attack on him and other community members by neo-paramilitaries

violent attack on members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in Antioquia Department, injuring legal representative Germán Graciano Posso; threats by neo-paramilitaries to attack again soon.

attempted assassination of radio journalist Luis Carlos Ortiz by the mayor of Rionegro, Santander Department