The Colombia Briefing | 14th April

🗞️ Two high-profile murders in Colombia have sparked international debate about the country’s security and human rights situation.

On the 4^th April, Sara Millerey, a 32-year-old trans woman from Bello, Antioquia, was murdered in Medellín. As yet unidentified killers beat her and broke her arms and legs before throwing her into a river to drown; she was taken to hospital where she died shortly afterwards.

A video of the hate crime, which took place in broad daylight and in front of numerous witnesses, has circulated on social media.

Local authorities are offering 50 million pesos for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators. 24 LGBTQ+ people have been murdered in Colombia so far this year, 13 of whom were killed in the department of Antioquia, 15 of whom were trans people. Demonstrations and vigils have been held across the country.

Alessandro Coatti, an Italian biologist, was killed in the Santa Marta area last week. Coatti was reportedly travelling through the region conducting research on local species.

Parts of his remains were found in a suitcase in the outskirts of the city last Sunday, other parts have been discovered in more bags in different neighbourhoods over the course of the week.

An international investigation, in collaboration with the Italian authorities, has now been launched into Coatti’s murder. Local authorities have offered a reward of 50 million pesos for information on the case, which is subject to many theories, from mistaken identity for Italian mafia members to organ trafficking.

Government peace negotiations with the area’s dominant paramilitary group broke down last week after the group - Autodefensas Conquistadores de la Sierra Nevada – complained of a lack of good faith on the part of the government following military offensives earlier this month. The group has, however, publicly denied any involvement in the murder.

🗞️ The chemical eradication of coca crops – the base material for cocaine – is back in debate this week, after the minister of defence Pedro Sánchez announced the resumption of fumigation with the chemical glyphosate, a controversial herbicide with dangerous side-effects both for the environment and the health of those living or working in fumigated areas. The government has signed new contracts for purchase of the chemical.