Colombia: Churches threatened by criminal groups

On 16 November 2020, a Facebook post by "La Voz de los Mƒ¡rtires - Chile" highlighted the numerous death-threats being made against pastors and the high number of attacks on churches in more than 60 municipalities in the departments of Antioquia, San Andres, Bolivar, Caldas, Casamare, Choco, Cordova, Cundinamarca and Tolima. The post accused the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces (AGC, also known as the "Gulf Clan") for carrying out these crimes. The post also reported that the AGC prevented pastors from leading worship services, visiting families and imposed a curfew in some towns. Rossana Ramirez, persecution analyst at World Watch Research (WWR), comments: "The AGC is one of many criminal groups operating in Colombia which has claimed control of certain areas within the country. To make sure their authority is recognized, they intimidate both the local population and rival groups by restricting mobility and activities in the areas in their power. Churches are particularly under threat because they preach values which directly contradict those of criminal groups. The areas under criminal control are constantly expanding and the government seems to have no effective way of reducing the armed violence."