Campaign Launched to Protect Religious Leaders in Colombia Amid Violence

Campaign Launched to Protect Colombian Religious Leaders Amid Rising Violence

Efforts to safeguard religious figures in Colombia are intensifying as a new initiative seeks to reinstate their eligibility for special protection following a troubling increase in attacks by armed factions.

This initiative focuses on restoring the provisions of Decrees 1066 and the National Protection System (NPS). The government’s recent decision in 2023 to exclude religious leaders from a list of those at heightened risk has left them without the previously available security measures.

The organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) spearheads this movement, highlighting that since December 2024, 11 religious figures have been subjected to murder, abduction, or have gone missing.

A notable incident involved Pastor José Otoniel Ortega, who was tragically killed by gunmen during a New Year celebration.

Additionally, a mass grave containing the remains of eight leaders from religious and social sectors was uncovered, with the Colombian prosecutor’s office attributing the massacre to Frente Armando Ríos, a faction of the FARC guerrilla group.

The group allegedly summoned the six men and two women under false pretenses to probe alleged rival militia activities in the vicinity.

Religious leaders often find themselves in the crosshairs of such factions, who view them as potential adversaries to their operations.

Aligned with this campaign is a petition intended for the upcoming presidential election victor, scheduled for 31 May.

Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Director of Advocacy and Americas Team Leader, stated, “Over the past two years Colombia has returned to levels of violence reminiscent of the darkest days of the country’s decades-long internal conflict.

“As voices of peace, justice and freedom in their communities, religious leaders are obvious targets for the illegal armed and criminal groups that continue to spread fear throughout the country.

“Whoever wins the upcoming presidential election in Colombia must make the promises of ‘total peace’ on which the current government was elected an utmost priority, including by recognising the specific vulnerability of religious leaders and restoring their access to government protection programs and security mechanisms.”