Colombia remains the most dangerous place in the world to organize a union. In a country that witnessed nearly 1,200 murders of trade unionists between 1994 and 2006, only 14 of the crimes have led to convictions. The intensity of anti-union violence has flared up again in recent weeks.

Leaders of the National Union of Food Industry Workers (SINALTRAINAL) have been actively organizing against the labor practices of multinational companies in the country, and face death threats, abductions and torture.

A death threat was found on September 20 at the home of regional union leader Jose Domingo Flores in the city of Bucaramanga. The message was signed by the Aguilas Negras, a government-funded paramilitary group notorious for repressing union movements labeled “subversive” by President Alvaro Uribe’s administration.

A week later, Flores’ son was abducted at gunpoint by three masked men and tortured. Andres Damian Flores Rodriguez, 16, allegedly was instructed to relay another threat that said, “Tell your father that we will not rest until we see you all in pieces.”

That same week the president of SINALTRAINAL faced threats on his life. Javier Correa has been instrumental in organizing efforts against Coca-Cola’s abuses in the country. On September 25, a message left in the union offices in Bucaramanga singled out the union leader by name: “Javier Correa, you must leave the department—if not we will be obliged to carry out the military objective and at Christmas we will hand over the bodies of your families in a mass grave.”

Support those who are organizing workers in Colombia, even in the face of violent reprisals. Colombia is a major recipient of U.S. military aid, some of which is used to fund the paramilitaries that have been carrying out violent acts against labor organizers. Please send appeals of solidarity to the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, Carrera 45 No. 24B-27 Bogotá, and to the Colombian Embassy, 2118 Leroy Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008.