On 22 August 1996, journalist Amparo Jimenez and cameraman Jose Coronado, who work for the television station QAP Noticias, were detained by police and, shortly after, were targets of death threats by a paramilitary group. The two men, correspondents in the city of Valledupar, capital of Cesar department, had just finished covering the occupation of […]
On 22 August 1996, journalist Amparo Jimenez and cameraman Jose
Coronado, who work for the television station QAP Noticias, were
detained by police and, shortly after, were targets of death
threats by a paramilitary group. The two men, correspondents in
the city of Valledupar, capital of Cesar department, had just
finished covering the occupation of the Hacienda Bellacruz by
farm workers, where several of their leaders had previously been
killed by the hacienda’s owners. While the journalists were
driving through the city of Pelaya in a vehicle which lacked any
press identification, they were stopped by police, who ordered
them to produce for inspection the footage taken of the
occupation. The journalists refused, and were able to drive on.
Shortly after, on the same road, Jimenez and Coronado were
intercepted by an armed paramilitary group which stole and
withheld their equipment. The group also issued death threats to
the journalists. The two were only able to retrieve three
minutes’ worth of footage during the altercation. Passengers on a
bus that was passing by recognised the journalists and called
them out by name, causing the paramilitary group to flee.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
that the journalists be able to practise their profession free
from any kind of harassment
Appeals To
His Excellency Ernesto Samper Pizano
President of the Republic of Colombia
Palacio de Narino
Carrera 8, No. 7-26
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 289 3377 / 286 7434 / 286 7324/ 287 7937
Dr. Horacio Serpa Uribe
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
Carrera 8, No.8-09, Piso 2
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 286 6524 / 286 0485
Dr. Juan Carlos Esguerra Portocarrero
Minister of National Defence
Ministry of National Defence
Avenida Eldorado CAN – Carrera 52
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Fax: +57 1 222 1874
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
