There is serious concern for the safety of inhabitants of the municipality of Simití, department of Bolívar, following an attack on 11 June 1998 by gunmen believed to be members of a paramilitary group. During the attack Ermes Villamizar, accused by the paramilitaries of being a guerilla sympathizer was abducted and later believed killed. His sister-in-law Olga Palencia Ermes Villamizar was also reportedly killed when trying to prevent his abduction
