Two USO members have been murdered in Santander department, reportedly by paramilitaries, and USO leaders in the department have received written death threats from a paramilitary group which acts with the acquiescence of the Colombian army. The paramilitaries have reportedly announced that they are sending 300 combatants to reinforce the city of Barrancabermeja, and Amnesty International is gravely concerned for the safety of trade unionists in the city and the surrounding area.
