Colombia: Threats against investigative journalists increase despite government response efforts

Journalists and media under threat

23 October RSF reported this journalist Jose Ignacio Arangofounder of digital media News Cucuta 75received death threats from at least three criminal gangs if he did not share messages requested by the groups. A month ago Arango already requested support from the National Protection Unit (UNP Colombia) after receiving threats in connection with its investigation into corruption. According to the journalist, the protection currently offered is insufficient to guarantee his safety.

Journalist Nicholas Sanchez Arevalodigital media Voraginewhose investigative work focused on the relationship between businessmen and the country’s current narco-military groups, received death threats from an anonymous Instagram account. The threats received since October 9 also affected his family, which the journalist considers a form of psychological intimidation. Because of these threats, the media temporarily suspended investigations to protect their team.

From 2023 William Stephen Rojas Rincónfreelance journalist working with digital media outlets such as La Reaction Prensa, Colprensa Colombia And El Nodo Colombiawas the target of constant death threats from criminal gangs motivated by his investigations into extortion and organized crime. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) took precautionary measures in his favor on October 13, 2023. However, despite this intervention, the Colombian state has not implemented effective protection mechanisms. In September 2024, the IACHR repeated the urgency of the Colombian government to take concrete measures to protect Rojas’ life and implement his recommendations.

September 20 journalist Leonardo Aguilar Ariasdirector of local online media Regional news Doradityreported death threats after the publication of material about the arrest of seven police officers allegedly associated with drug paramilitary groups.

Revista RAYAThe critical investigative magazine faces ongoing legal harassment in the form of numerous lawsuits aimed at delegitimizing its work and preventing the spread of information about corruption and human rights abuses in the country. The magazine was able to document and expose cases of corruption involving local authorities and criminal gangs, which led to repression and threats. September 19 R.Evista RAYA stated that he continues to receive threats from the narco-paramilitary organization Clan del Golfo.