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Border towns in COLOMBIA/ Ecuador target of assassinations - two community leaders dead

http://www.examiner.com/x-5249-SF-Foreign-Policy-Examiner~y2009m10d17-...

Leaflets threaten social cleansing of marginalized groups like drug addicts, thieves and prostitutes in communities living in San Lorenzo, Ecuador. San Lorenzo is a port town on the north coast of Ecuador. Along with receiving reports about these leaflets while visiting Esmeraldas, a city south of San Lorenzo, Refugees International has also received several reports of the presence of newly reorganized Colombian paramilitary groups operating in San Lorenzo. They also have received reports that the same type of leaflets are being circulated inside of Colombia by newly organized paramilitary groups who are gradually exercising social control over the communities, while also conducting criminal activities and trafficking narcotics.

On September 28th and 29th, two Ecuadorian community leaders were assassinated. Both Miguel Lapo and Miguel Pinzon were connected to the Colombian violence through their direct assistance to Colombian refugees along the border between Ecuador and Colombia. Lapo was assassinated in Barranca Bermeja and Pinzon was assassinated in the town of San Martin. Both are border towns, both are in the province of Sucumbíos.

By mariacvetanoski on Oct 17, 2009, 17:31 in Politics & the war.

mariacvetanoski says on Oct 17, 2009, 17:31:

The Report to Members of the Committee on Foreign Relations United States Senate, delivered on April 28, 2008, “Playing with Fire: Colombia, Ecuador and Venzuela,” maintains that the Ecuadorian government has for years welcomed large numbers of Colombian refugees, but that they have never received compensation for their care or restitution for Ecuadorian properties that have been destroyed by the Colombian military during Colombian operations along the border. The report also maintains that the Colombian government has not conducted impartial investigations when Ecuadorians are killed during these operations. This has not stopped Ecuadorian efforts.

Save the street children of Colombia Now!!

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dwmte7 says on Oct 18, 2009, 07:06:

maria..............stay away from the border.

patriarch

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Sam Salmon says on Oct 18, 2009, 10:09:

Esmeraldas was ever a rough nasty place.

' a la orden!'

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Londoner says on Oct 23, 2009, 07:39:

Can,t think of one good reason to visit San Lorenzo now that the train to Ibarra does,nt run.And yes,crime and Esmeraldas go together,always have done.

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Sam Salmon says on Oct 23, 2009, 20:09:

I remember a taxista in La Salinas when I asked him about the bus along the coast to Esmeraldas-he said "YOU don't take that bus" meaning No Gringos Allowed-other people denied there even was a bus.

He also said " Could be a Grandmother could be an 8 year old kid who sticks a knife in your ribs but it **will** happen".

' a la orden!'

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dwmte7 says on Oct 24, 2009, 07:30:

gee, sam, sure hope that's on the tourist maps as a 'must see'.

patriarch

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