Plinio Pulgarín

Plinio Pulgarín was killed on 18 January 2018, in the department of Córdoba in Colombia, a region rife with the continued displacement of families. Plinio worked as the president of the Community Action Board of the rural community of San Pedrito de San José de Uré and his death was announced by the Association of Campesinos of the South of Córdoba (Asociación de Campesinos del Sur de Córdoba or ASCUSUR.)

Although there are few available details as to what happened, human rights defender Andrés Chica stated to news organisation  ‘W Radio’ that “armed people in military dress arrived at PlinioPulgarín’s home to reprimand him for promoting a programme for the substitution of illicit crops.” The community leader promoted the voluntary substitution of illegal crops for legal ones.

After killing him, the murderers went on to threaten another local social leader, Diana Dorado, giving her 30 minutes to leave her home unless she wanted to die like he did. News of his death, which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning, rocked the town creating fear that more incidents would occur. The crime against Plinio Pulgarín generated the forced displacement of at least 12 families. Another 60 made the decision to flee the region subsequently.

A few days earlier, the community had reported the presence of armed groups and an early warning alert was announced on the 14 January. In it, the authorities warned of a difficult security situation facing communities in the south of Córdoba, given the presence of paramilitaries.


If you would like to provide a personal recollection, please email us at: HRDMemorial@frontlinedefenders.org

Region:Americas

Country:Colombia

Department/Province/State:Cordoba

Sex1:Male

Date of Killing:18/01/2018

Previous Threats:Yes

Type of Work:Community leader

Organisation:President of the Community Action Board of San Pedrito (Junta de Acción Comunal de nla vereda San Pedrito), Marcha Patriótica de la Asociación de Zonas de Reserva Campesina, y de la Coordinadora Nacional de Cultivadores de Hoja de Coca, Marihuana y Amapola COCCAM

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Peasant Communities

More information:Front line Defenders

1This database records an individual's chosen gender identity. If they do not self-identify as male or female they can use the option of recording other/neither or use the term NBGI (non binary gender identity).