Take action by contacting your U.S. Representative today, and asking them to sign on to the Dear Colleague letter to Secretary of State Blinken which denounces excessive violence against citizens by Colombian Security Forces, National Police and riot police (ESMAD).

Circulated by Rep. James P. McGovern (MA-02) and co-led by Rep. Pocan (WI-02), Rep. Schakowsky (IL-09) and Rep. Grijalva (AZ-03), the letter calls for the suspension of all U.S. direct assistance to Colombia’s National Police, especially to Mobile Anti-Disturbances Squadron (ESMAD) riot police unit.  In addition, the letter states the importance of meaningful dialogue with protestors and the halt of Colombian officials’ use of inflammatory language that portrays protestors as terrorists.

We join our Colombian partners in urging the U.S. government and officials to:

- Condemn public security forces use of excessive violence and distance itself from officials' incendiary rhetoric
- Ensure the safety of human rights defenders, and hold those who have violated human rights accountable
- Ensure there is no U.S. assistance, training or sales of weapons, equipment or services to the ESMAD
- Redouble efforts to press the Duque administration to fully and faithfully implement the peace accords, including taking all possible measures to protect human rights defenders and social leaders, especially those most targeted: Afro-descendant and Indigenous Colombians.