On January 30, the Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights (CREDHOS) posted on social media:
“We begin our 2026 Balance and Planning session, which will determine a fundamental part for the analysis and projection of agendas that will allow us to continue persisting in the defense of life and dignity in the Magdalena Medio region.”
The Peace Brigades International-Colombia Project has accompanied these meetings.
January 30.
February 2.
Front Line Defenders
On February 5, Front Line Defenders posted on social media:
“The Corporación Regional para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos (CREDHOS) plays a key role in defending human rights and access to justice in Colombia — the country with the highest number of killings of human rights defenders worldwide, according to our Global Analysis.
Since late December 2025, CREDHOS has reported a wave of serious threats targeting its members, particularly its board of directors and its president, human rights defender Iván Madero. Their work in the Barrancabermeja area of Magdalena Medio — a region marked by disputes over territory, natural resources such as oil, and power among armed groups, state forces, and private interests — has made them targets of surveillance, intimidation, and pamphlets declaring them military targets.
These threats dangerously escalate the already high levels of risk faced by defenders working for justice, full compliance with the Peace Agreements, and the defence of territory and the environment. Despite existing protection measures from Colombia’s National Protection Unit (UNP), serious gaps in implementation continue to put their lives at risk.
We call on the Colombian authorities to act urgently: investigate all threats including clarifying the alleged involvement of state forces and the military in the intelligence operation carried out against them, publicly recognise the legitimate work of CREDHOS, implement effective protection measures, and end the criminalisation and stigmatisation of human rights defenders.”
From Canada, we remain attentive and concerned about this situation faced by members of CREDHOS.
