State Department statement on paramilitary massacre in Buga, Valle, October 15, 2001

State Department statement on paramilitary massacre in Buga, Valle, October 15, 2001
PRESS STATEMENT
Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 15, 2001

Colombia: Paramilitary Massacre of 24 Civilians

The United States deplores the massacre of 24 civilians in Buga, Valle Del Cauca Department on Wednesday, October 10. We condemn this vile and criminal act committed by the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).

The U.S. designated the AUC a foreign terrorist organization on September 10 because of its involvement in terrorist acts such as this.

We call on the AUC, as well as other illegal armed groups in Colombia, to cease the targeting of civilians and to respect international humanitarian law.

As of October 17, 2001, this document was also available online at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2001/index.cfm?docid=5385