Since 13 February, eight students in Colombia have received death threats. This is a lot more frequent than usual.

FOTO: Robin Røkke Johansen

«How are you? We saw you at the university yesterday, tell the one you were with that he is on the same death list as you.» This is the polite version of one of the many death threats currently circulating Colombian universities.

- The treats are very direct: «We saw you yesterday, we know what you are doing, watch out!» says Mona Wærnes from the Socialist Youth League of Norway (SU), who came home from a shorter stay in Colombia on Thursday.

Ruíz threatened

Wærnes is acting as coordinator for Fernando Ruíz, who was in Universitas last autumn when he visited Norway in connection with a project organised by the SU. Back then, he wanted to call attention to the difficult conditions Colombian students are living under, and to start a solidarity project together with the socialist student organisation at the University of Oslo, Rød Front, and some of the other student parties. At the time, Ruíz was a member of the university board at Universidad Sur Colombiana, and this spring he played an active role during the election campaign at the Student Parliament.

- Ruíz is a familiar face at the university. He is one of the few who has had the courage to go public and voice his opinions, Wærnes says.

On 28 February, Ruíz’ organisation, ACEU, made a clean sweep at the parliamentary election and on 7 March, a flyer with the death threat against Ruíz and that which the paramilitary calls the «Fernandoism» was circulated at the university.

- During our stay in Colombia, Ruíz went from being someone who interpreted the situation for us, to becoming a victim. I have to admit that I am worried, Wærnes adds.

On 5 October last year, Julián Hurtado was killed by the paramilitary group, Águilas Negras (Black Eagles) who is behind the threats against Ruíz. On 13 March, they distributed a new list with the names of nine student politicians. On the list, Hurtado was marked as deceased. Ruíz now holds the same position in student politics as Hurtado did.

The President’s army

Wærnes has no doubt that Águilas Negras is connected to president Álvaro Uribe Vélez.

- What is happening to Ruíz is part of a greater plan where the president wants to eliminate the guerrilla. The problem is that everyone who is in opposition is called guerrilla. It’s incredible that a democratically elected president is allowed to go on like this.

Robert Sande, executive for international affairs at the Student Parliament, shares Wærnes’ opinion.

- The situation is no better now than it was before we passed the resolution in support of ACEU. There is obviously a link between Uribe and the paramilitary because he is not doing much to prevent the murders and the threats, he claims.

- When you are being threatened with death there are only three options. You can put down your work, you can run, or you can go on. And die. Ruíz will not put down his work. That is why it is so important to gain international attention, Wærnes concludes.