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Yet another Colombian labor activist has been assassinated. Daniel Cortez was an electrical worker and 16-year veteran activist with his union, Sintraeleco. He was working in Puerto Parra, an area controlled by the allegedly disbanded right-wing United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, when he was shot twice in the face and died instantly.

Meanwhile, Colombia's government is threatening two agricultural trade unionists with FENSUAGRO, the country's agricultural workers union. FENSUAGRO Vice President Hubert Ballestros and union member Oscar Salazar have been followed repeatedly in recent months by vehicles similar to those following five other FENSUAGRO activists in the weeks before their assassinations.

Send letters demanding an open investigation of Daniel Cortez's murder, independent bodyguards for Oscar and Hubert, and respect for all Colombian union members to: The Honorable Francisco Santos, Vice-President of Colombia, Palacio de Nari-o, Carrera 8 #7-26, Bogota, Colombia. You can also write to the Colombian Minister of Defence, Jorge Alberto Uribe, at: Avenida El Dorado con Cra. 52 CAN, Santa fe de Bogota. You can e-mail Uribe at siden@mindefensa.gov.co or infprotocol@mindefensa.gov.co.

You can email the head of the Presidential Human Rights Program, Dr. Carlos Franco, at cefranco@presidencia.gov.co.

Expiration Date:
Thu, 06/01/2006 - 9:00pm