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8 July, 2025Union leaders in Colombia’s mining sector are facing renewed threats and intimidation, sparking calls for urgent government action to protect their safety. The latest incidents target members of Sintracarbón, underscoring the persistent dangers for trade unionists in one of the world’s most hazardous countries for labour activism.
Colombia has long ranked among the world’s most dangerous countries for trade unionists. International organizations report that in recent decades, dozens of union leaders have faced threats, persecution, and assassinations. While government protection programs have been introduced in recent years, significant risks remain, particularly in strategic sectors such as mining and energy.
The La Jagua branch president of Sintracarbón, Germán Aranzales, has reportedly faced threats and extortion attempts since June 8 of this year, according to union sources. The union has also denounced surveillance and intimidation directed at other members, including trade unionist Silvio Mendoza and Rocío Torres Bobadilla, a lawyer who advises the union on labor proceedings.
The threats began after Sintracarbón and Sintraminergética filed a request with the Labour Ministry calling for the suspension of the collective dismissal of some 300 employees at Prodeco and Carbones de La Jagua (CDJ), emphasising the need to declare the nine subsidiaries of the Glencore group in Colombia as a single business entity.
In the letter sent by IndustriALL to the Colombian government, concern is expressed about the recent threats and harassment and urgent measures are requested to guarantee the safety of the union leaders and advisors concerned. The letter also calls on the public prosecutor’s office to press ahead with the corresponding investigations.
IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie says:
“We are extremely concerned and appalled by this new and blatant violation of fundamental human and trade union rights. Given the long history of violence against trade union and social leaders in Colombia, we view these threats with the utmost seriousness and concern.”