CAHUCOPANA denounces attack against social leaders Lenin Guerra and Yuliana Galeano

BluRadio photo: Lenin Guerra and Yuliana Galeano.

On August 19, the Humanitarian Action Corporation for Coexistence and Peace in Northeastern Antioquia (CAHUCOPANA) tweeted: “We report that unfortunately the lifeless body of the farmer, Elmer Lenin Guerra, a recognized inhabitant of the village of El Carmen #Remedios and sentimental partner of Yuliana Liceth Galeano, was found. …We continue in the search for Yuliana Liceth Galeano, held by armed men, together with her partner yesterday, August 18, in the place known as ‘El Aporreado’.”

Following that, PBI-Colombia tweeted: “#SOS The lifeless body of Elmer Lenin Guerra is found in the village of El Carmen #Remedios and the search continues for his partner, the leader Yuliana Liceth Galeano. Guarantees are required for life in Northeast Antioquia.”

Then about two hours later, PBI-Colombia tweeted: “The leader of the #nordeste Yuliana Galeano was found alive.”

Earlier, Semana had reported:

“Added to the security crisis in the department of Antioquia is the retention of two social leaders in the village of El Carmen in the municipality of Remedios by armed men, as reported by the Humanitarian Action Corporation for Coexistence and Peace of the Northeast Antioquia [CAHUCOPANA].

Three illegal groups commit crimes in that area.

They are Yuliana Liceth Galeano and Elmer Lenin Guerra, both led the humanitarian refuge that was carried out in this town to encourage the authorities to mediate between the crossfire between the illegal Clan del Golfo and the National Liberation Army (ELN) for the control of criminal income.

According to the story of the community organization, at 5:00 p.m. m. on August 18, the married couple was gagged in the sector known as El Aporreado. One of these organizations that hope to advance a peace process with the government of Gustavo Petro would have set up an illegal checkpoint in that place.

One of the spokespersons for the Humanitarian Action Corporation for Coexistence and Peace in Northeast Antioquia, who asked that her name be omitted for security reasons, explained that the spouses had an active voice within the territory in favor of peace.

Precisely, Yuliana Liceth Galeano had been on a tour in the country’s capital denouncing the conflict suffered by the inhabitants of this subregion of Antioquia.

While Elmer Lenin Guerra is carrying out mining work and also showed rejection of the terrorist actions that are being committed in the municipalities of Segovia and Remedios. In the list of the authorities there are selective homicides, forced displacement, extortion and recruitment of peasants.”

The full article in Semana can be read at Atención: grupo armado secuestró a dos líderes sociales en Remedios, Antioquia.

CAHUCOPANA has also noted that just last week, on August 11, Yuliana Galeano was part of a PBI-Colombia accompanied delegation that met with the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

PBI-Colombia has accompanied the Humanitarian Action Corporation for Coexistence and Peace in Northeast Antioquia (CAHUCOPANA) since 2013.