At the end of his administration and in response to a series of affronts by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), President Andres Pastrana was forced to terminate the peace process in which he had invested virtually his entire effort during the course of more than three years. Immediately thereafter, the Colombian military reoccupied the 42,000 kilometer zone the government had conceded to the FARC for peace talks. However, in contrast to its initial purpose, this so-called "demilitarized zone" was used by the FARC as a safe haven, a place where they could train combat forces, launch attacks on nearby villages, hold hostages and increase their coca production. President Pastrana's reputation was at stake and the FARC simply took advantage of his good faith. When the "peace process" finally broke down, they made no attempt to defend the zone, as they had arrogantly announced they would several months earlier. Instead, they preferred to unleash a wave of terrorist attacks on the country's roads and energy facilities, even going so far as to dynamite several water systems. They also planted bombs in urban areas, killing dozens of civilians. Public opinion was consolidated against the FARC as a result, but this did nothing to halt their imagination. The only thing lacking was a direct attack on grass-roots democracy; that is, on the country's elected municipal authorities.

The order to resign was issued on June 13 by the narco-terrorist Jorge Briceño Suarez, alias El Mono Jojoy, who is the FARC military commander. In yet another example of the constant pressure exerted on civilians by the FARC, he ordered all mayors in Colombia to leave office. In addition to being a serious violation of international humanitarian law, this order exposes the civilian population to abandonment and lack of protection due to the obligatory absence of the State, which is prevented from fulfilling its obligation to protect communities under threat and to guarantee exercise of their fundamental rights.

The FARC order is to kidnap or execute any official anywhere in Colombia who does not resign. This threat is an open attack on democracy and its institutions in Colombia, and creates a climate of anarchy that weakens the State. The FARC are using this tactic to gradually take possession of Colombian territory; that is, to "demilitarize" by force.

Mayors and other public officials are being threatened in a number of ways, depending on the FARC's influence in the zone. The most common forms of intimidation are 1) threats made face to face; 2) by letter; 3) by telephone; 4) through a third party; or 5) via the mass media. These threats affect not only the country's mayors, but their families, many of whom have been forced to abandon everything in the interest of their own safety.

The situation facing the mayor of Colon, a town in the province of Putumayo, is a good example of the barbaric tactics to which this narco-terrorist organization resorts. The FARC threatened him with resignation or death. And, without waiting to see if he would comply, they kidnapped his daughter, Francy Lorena, who is only three years old. She was abducted on her way to kindergarten in the company of a domestic employee who works for the mayor.

Several days later, a member of the FARC ordered the case to be publicized in the media, the idea being to terrorize the country's mayors and to show the guerrillas mean business. This sort of behavior, which has been rejected by the Colombian people and by the international community, symbolizes the extent to which the FARC are prepared to go in furthering the conflict. One can only imagine how traumatizing it must be for a child to endure such an experience.

Unfortunately, this is not the only case where the families of mayors have fallen victim to these terrorists. The wife of the mayor of San Vicente del Caguán, which is located in the former demilitarized zone and served as the site of peace negations, was assassinated by the FARC. They also kidnapped several relatives and the son of the mayor of Vista Hermosa, a town in the province of Meta. As part of their merciless harassment of children, the FARC sent death notices to the daughters of a mayor in the province of Caldas. This is nothing short of cruel and inhuman treatment.

The FARC adopted this strategy four months after the breakdown in peace talks, and once they were able to gather their leaders together. Threatening mayors is an inexpensive but profitable tactic from a military and political standpoint. It enables the FARC to clear out parts of the country by force, thereby allowing them to move in and assume control. This, of course, facilitates illegal shipments of arms and drug trafficking. Surprisingly, they have even threatened mayors who were elected and govern with their consent.

Municipal progress has been seriously jeopardized by the threats leveled against Colombia's mayors. Without municipal authorities, towns do not benefit from the projects mayors are obliged to develop in the interest of a better life for the community.

One clear example is the town of Doncello, in the province of Caquetá, where community projects and public works have been at a standstill ever since the mayor was forced to resign and flee the region. Repairs have been halted on a suspension bridge that connects nine neighborhoods in the southern part of Doncello with the downtown area. Also left pending was completion of the local slaughterhouse, road maintenance and improvement, work on the water system in several neighborhoods, and repairs and lighting for several parks. And, to make matters worse, taxes are not being collected, nor are the salaries of 29 city employees and 30 local school teachers being paid.

This gradually undermines the relationship between the State and the general public by substantially reducing the possibility of State support for community development. In fact, the FARC want the local population to become increasing detached from legitimate government in Colombia.

With action of this type, the FARC contradict their supposed interest in the well being of the population and their supposed support for the election of mayors by popular vote or for democracy in general. They who are exercising an extreme form of authoritarianism, one lacking any sort of ideological basis or commitment. Their real goal is to establish areas where they can pursue their interest in the drug traffic.

Although many of Colombia's mayors have been extremely courageous and are still on the job, regardless of whether it means governing from a distance or taking refuge in provincial capitals, others who feel themselves defenseless have resigned. The government does not share this decision. Many governors have refused to accept resignations from mayors and other elected officials. Through non-violent means of protest, the community has voiced open support for local authorities. Although it is still too early to know how effective this form of resistance will be against the brutal tactics of the FARC, non-violent protest is yet another manifestation of the extent to which the Colombian people reject this terrorist organization.

The national government has reacted by adopting a number of measures, one of which authorizes mayors to bear arms and provides for weapons training. Police protection for local authorities has been increased as well. Under the recently declared state of civil unrest, even stronger measures may be taken in the near future.

The following figures confirm the seriousness of the crisis sparked by the FARC's threat against the lives of Colombia's mayors.

MAYORS WHO HAVE BEEN THREATENED

This information was supplied by the Colombian Association of Municipalities.

In all, 22 departments and 493 cities and town are under threat.

MAYORS WHO HAVE SET UP TEMPORARY OFFICES AT OTHER LOCATIONS

This information was supplied by the Colombian Association of Municipalities.

OTHER DATA

This information was supplied by the Colombian Association of Municipalities, the Ombudsman and the Attorney General's Office.

By: CIDEC