Colombia will not rest in fight against killers of activists, Duque says

Colombian President Ivan Duque defended his administration’s handling of the killings of hundreds of human rights activists, saying the government would not rest “a single day” in its fight against the armed groups it blames.

At least 133 activists and community leaders were murdered last year, according to U.N. figures, the latest data to trigger international condemnation - including from the Biden administration - and calls for Duque’s government to do more to protect activists.

His administration has repeatedly said its blows against criminal groups, illegal mining and drug trafficking will help protect activists, but it has often given few details about its efforts, including a recent promised increase in operations.

Most activists who have been killed had not requested government protection, Duque told Reuters in an interview late on Friday.

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