The Coalition For Women In Journalism is deeply concerned for the journalist’s safety and urges police to ensure her protection

Location: Colombia, Cúcuta
Date: September 6, 2023

Estefanía Colmenares receives death threat, declaring her a target with price on her head. Messages are thought to be linked to her outlet’s reporting on a former mayor. The threat is particularly concerning considering the upcoming regional elections in Colombia. Press must be free to report on politicians and political campaigns without fearing for their lives. The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes the Prosecutor’s decision to investigate those threatening Colmenares and urges police to ensure her safety.

On September 6, the director of La Opinión newspaper, Estefanía Colmenares, revealed she received frightening messages on WhatsApp saying someone had put a bounty on the journalist’s head. 

The Attorney General’s Office has announced it opened a criminal investigation into the threats against the journalist.

The motive behind the threat sent to Colmenares remains unclear, but the media believes it may be linked to La Opinión's recent coverage of former Cúcuta mayor and convict Ramiro Suárez Corzo. 

The former mayor — sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2011 for murder — had certain prison benefits revoked in July 2023. Soon after, he fell ill and requested to be transferred to a hospital.

La Opinión has exposed irregularities in Suárez Corzo's hospitalization, where he enjoys certain privileges despite his incarceration. The former mayor allegedly coordinates two political campaigns for the upcoming regional election from his hospital bed. 

Journalists from the outlet La Opinión have reason to take these threats seriously; they have faced extreme assaults in the past. Over the past six years, the Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP) has documented at least 10 threats and attacks targeting journalists at the paper. These incidents include a threat to attack La Opinión’s offices in 2018 and the attempted murders of two journalists in 2017. In 1993, the director and founder of the newspaper, Eustorgio Colmenares Baptista, was assassinated by ELN guerrillas. His killing was declared a crime against humanity.

High levels of violence against the press in the lead-up to elections can result in self-censorship among media outlets and hinder access to information about candidates and political campaigns. It is vitally important that the threat against Colmenares is taken seriously. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls for clear and coordinated efforts between the Ministry of the Interior, the Public Force, the National Protection Unit (UNP), and the Prosecutor's Office to address the risks facing journalists covering elections. Institutional support strategies at all levels are essential to protect journalists and implement necessary measures for those at high risk.

In light of the threats against Estefanía Colmenares, we urge the Attorney General to investigate and hold those responsible accountable swiftly. Additionally, the Cúcuta Police should immediately implement security measures to safeguard Colmenares and other journalists at La Opinión.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.