Mennonite Church member in danger

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) had intended to facilitate a speaker's tour with Colombian Mennonite economist Hector Mondragón. This tour, planned for Sept.3, 2008 through Sept. 15, 2008, was focused on the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Colombia.

It was decided on Saturday, Aug. 28, that Hector would not come on the tour.

On Friday, Aug. 27, an article about the detention of Liliany Patricia Obando a purported member of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – the largest guerrilla group) appeared in a Colombian national newspaper. This article, refers to a letter addressed to Hector Mondragón written by Raul Reyes, slain member of the FARC Secretariat, recommending Liliany Patricia Obando as a collaborator.

Mondragón never received this letter. He says he has never had contact with Raul Reyes. The Attorney General's office has not notified Mondragón of any judicial process against him, so this public statement becomes slander and violates basic legal process.

In the Colombian political context, it is clear that the newspaper reference was not accidental; it is a form of implicit accusation.

The newspaper article has generated fear among Mondragón’s family members and a deep sense of anxiety for Mondragón as he mentally relives past experiences of imprisonment, torture and death threats.

The church community together with Mondragón and his family decided that it would be dangerous and unwise for Mondragón to travel to the United States without clarifying his judicial status and clearing his name of the implicit accusation of relating to the FARC.

Although the motives behind publishing the reference to Mondragón in the newspaper article are still unclear, the immediate results are clear. The fact that Mondragón can not travel blocks U.S. audiences from hearing him in person with regard to questions concerning the Free Trade Agreement.

The Colombian Mennonite Church and Mennonite Central Committee ask for prayers for the Mondragón family concerning protection, wisdom and clear discernment in this complex and uncertain situation.