Colombian rebel wanted in the murder of Ingrid Washinawatok to face charges in U.S.

Indian Country Posted: April 26, 2003 - 6:05pm EST by: Staff reports

Nelson Vargas Rueda, a rebel wanted for the 1999 murders of three peace activists including Ingrid Washinawatok, will be extradited to the U.S. The Colombian Supreme Court approved the extradition on April 23 making Rueda the first rebel sent by Colombia to the U.S. to face charges.

Rueda was part of the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that continues to commit war crimes in Colombia.

In 1999, in the Arauca District, U’wa Indian leader Roberto Cobario and his three American guests Ingrid Washinawatok, Lahe’ena’e Gay and Terence Freitas, were taken prisoner by FARC. Less than two weeks later, the bodies of Washinawatok, Gay and Freitas were found across the Arauca River in Venezuela.

The activists were in Colombia to assist members of the U’wa nation. Washinawatok was director of the Fund for the Four Directions, which awards grants to revitalize indigenous languages and lifeways. Gay was chairwoman of the Pacific Cultural Conservancy International. She worked for cultural recognition and bringing educational opportunities to indigenous peoples. Frietas was part of the U’wa Defense Working Group which worked to block oil drilling on U’wa sacred lands.

Years have passed, but the terrorism continues. In January, four elders of the Kuna people were murdered by the right-wing Autonomous Defense Units of Columbia (AUC). In addition to the killings, the paramilitaries ransacked two villages leaving more than 700 people without food and shelter and kidnapped three foreign journalists (later released).

The FARC also continue their reign of terror. Two soldiers being treated in a hospital in the village of Fortul were recently shot and killed with another soldier wounded in the attack.

Arauca, Saravena and Arauquita were declared specialized military zones under emergency powers by President Alvaro Uribe when he took office last August. The military zone classification will expire in the first week in May, along with military officials’ power in these areas.