COLOMBIA FIGHTS DRUG LORDS

The Gazette takes seriously the conflict that affects my country.

However, many times, when you mention the illegal self-defence groups,
you link them to the military forces. In a May 18 photo caption, you
write "the militia - backed by large land owners and allegedly by rogue
members of the U.S.-backed military."

The government of Colombia is fighting against all the violent actors in
this conflict, all of them funded by the drug traffickers. This year,
more than 400 members of illegal self-defence groups have been arrested
by the armed forces, including 80 people allegedly responsible for the
horrific massacre of Alto Naya.

The illegal self-defence groups are supported neither by the Colombian
government nor by the armed forces. They are supported by the drug
traffickers.

Fanny Kertzman, Ambassador
Embassy of Colombia, Ottawa