Committee for Solidarity with Political Prisoners raises concerns about UNDMO eviction in Barranquilla

Published by Brent Patterson on July 9, 2024July 9, 2024

The Committee for Solidarity with Political Prisoners (CSPP) has posted a series of tweets that begins with:

“ALERT #Now we denounce eviction in Altos de Pinar del Río #Barranquilla by @alcaldiabquilla [Mayor’s Office of Barranquilla] led by @SecGobiernoBaq [the District Secretariat of Government of Barranquilla] and @PoliciaBquilla [Barranquilla Metropolitan Police] (UNDMO and other law enforcement units). There are indiscriminate aggressions against elderly people and children.”

The CSPP adds:

“We met defenders from @DefenderLibertad and @comite_CSPP however we have not been able to continue to the site due to the confrontation. Gas has been thrown inside the houses and multiple gunshots have been heard.”

La Libertad reports:

“In a controversial action that has generated outrage in the community of Altos del Río, police personnel, accompanied by the Dialogue and Maintenance of Order Unit (UNDMO) and authorities of the District of Barranquilla, proceeded to evict homes using yellow machinery, without prior notice to residents.

According to testimonies of those affected, including women, children and the elderly, the eviction began without mediating with the community, causing an atmosphere of tension and fear. The community denounces that shots were fired during the operation and that several of its members, including women and men, were beaten by the uniformed officers.

“We are asking for the urgent presence of the Ombudsman’s Office to intervene and mediate in this situation,” said a resident who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. In addition, they request the intervention of delegates from the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), due to the abuse suffered by minors and the elderly present during the eviction.

The eviction has left the community of Altos del Río in a state of vulnerability, with displaced families and uncertainty about their immediate future.

So far, local authorities have not issued an official statement about the incident or the allegations of police abuse.

It is expected that in the next few hours more details about this situation will be known and measures will be taken to protect the rights of those affected and ensure a fair and equitable resolution of the conflict.”

We will continue to follow this.

The Peace Brigades International-Colombia Project has accompanied the Committee for Solidarity with Political Prisoners (CSPP) since 1998.