Journalists in Colombia fear a return to right-wing persecution

Colombia holds elections Sunday May 31. Ultra-right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella has a history of supporting paramilitary forces as well as legal intimidation of journalists who do not give him flattering coverage. Adriaan Anselma, executive editor of Colombia Reports, believes that the emerging front-runner for the right doesn’t want to only apply “iron fist” tactics against crime, he wants to crack down on dissent as well. The veteran reporter says that the emerging populist, who is an open admirer of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, represents a return to “criminalizing opposition in the name of security concerns.”He isn’t alone. Many journalists in the country have criticized the candidate as a would-be strongman who represents a return to some of the darkest days of Colombian politics, when right-wing death squads eradicated entire leftist parties, even assassinating the father of current leftist front runner Ivan Cepeda. Meanwhile, after a contentious campaign of infighting, right-wing political machinery has finally consolidated behind Abelardo: including some of the most corrupt clans in the country. Although he claims that Cepeda will make Colombia “the next Venezuela,” it isde la Espriella’s platform that threatens democratic rule.You can hear more in this week’s episode of Pirate Wire Radio. Get full access to Pirate Wire Services at www.piratewireservices.com/subscribe