Colombia: journalists flee Montería after death threats for investigating criminal groups

cpj.org press release -Authorities in Colombia should ensure the safety of two journalists who have fled the northern city of Montería after being threatened for their reporting on criminal groups, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Amilkar Alvear, a reporter for the daily El Heraldo and its sister newspaper, Al Día, and Jairo Cassiani, a photographer for the same outlets, fled Montería on Monday after receiving a note at the El Heraldo offices that threatened them with death if they did not leave the city within 48 hours, according to news reports. The note was signed by individuals claiming to be members of the Urabeños, one of Colombia’s largest criminal organizations, the reports said. The Urabeños includes former paramilitaries who once fought Marxist guerrillas but are now dedicated to drug trafficking and other crimes. Read Article