It has been revealed that Columbine cartels have been enforcing “laws” of their own, and hurting and even killing people breaking lockdown.
A soldier in a hazmat suit.
Reports show that Human Rights Watch have been alerted to the fact several people have been killed in recent weeks and months over their lack of respect for the lockdown rules in place, or, their public display of disagreeing with them.
On the coasts particularly, gangs have started to make their own rules and laws, and activities such as fishing have been banned in some regions.
José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director for Human Rights Watch, said: “Draconian punishments imposed by armed groups to prevent the spread of Covid-19 mean that people in remote and impoverished communities across Colombia risk being attacked and even killed if they leave their homes.”
He added that these gangs are using the pandemic as an opportunity to gain power over the public, and enforce their own rules and laws; it’s a power thing, basically. However he also said: “There is a genuine fear of an outbreak within their ranks.”
Many of these gang members are involved in drug trafficking and other crime, but they aren’t all necessarily from the same gangs and regions.
A community leader in Putumayo said: “They have shut down transport between villages, and when someone is suspected to have Covid-19 they are told to leave the region or they will be killed.
“And people have no choice but to obey because they never see the government here.”
