The man is dominated by anxiety. He thought twice about telling his story in this medium and finally agreed, but preferred not to identify himself. He performs as store dealer in Barranquilla, although lately he hasn’t got a job.
(Also read: The secrets of the 100-year-old woman who overcame covid-19 in the Atlantic)
The reason? 50 clients closed their businesses due to extortion and returned to their homeland, in the interior of the country. He decided to stay to respond to the few remaining shopkeepers, but he is surrounded by escorts in an armored van, since he was also threatened.
When extortion arrives, they take away your life, they take away your peace of mind, they take away your desire to work, they take away everything, even the desire to live.
“When extortion comes, they take away your life, they take away your peace of mind, they take away your desire to work, they take away everything, even your desire to live. They have robbed me, they have robbed me, they murdered my brother, but the most vile crime is extortion”, assures the man from Santander.
He adds that every day he lives with the anguish of thinking that they could harm him or that they bring him the news that “they killed my son or my partner for not paying the fee they demand of me,” he maintains, while looking from a side to side when you feel someone approaching you from behind.
Like him, a hundred small and large businesses have been affected. According to the National Union of Merchants (Undeco) sectional Atlántico, more than 100 establishments commercials have been sold very cheaply, because the owner cannot resist the pressure.
Due to the above, the unions have confirmed the call for a march that will take place in the city starting at 9:00 am this Thursday, with the purpose of rejecting the extortions that have harmed everyone.
The panorama is so complex that not only are shopkeepers who have announced their participation in the demonstrationbut they have been joined by restaurants, hairdressers, barbershops, pharmacies, miscellaneous stores and clothing and shoe stores.
The anti-extortion operations of the authorities
Since 2021, 27 major operations have been carried out that have affected criminal groups with the capture or neutralization of their leaders
Precisely this Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police of Barranquilla, through the Gaula, launched in the Barranquillita sector of the city center, the QR code strategy for merchants to report cases of extortion.
According to the commander of the Gaula Atlántico, Major Diego Molina, the capture of 249 extortionists and every two days there is an arrest in the metropolitan area of the city for this crime.
“Within the prevention activities, we have carried out 38 sessions, 45 conferences, through the support of the different unions, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Andi, Asaba, Undeco and Asopartes. We invite citizens to report by line 165 or our QR code, “said Major Molina.
In a balance sheet delivered by the Mayor’s Office of Barranquilla and the Metropolitan Police, they indicated that, of every 100 extortions that have occurred in the capital of the Atlantic, especially against merchants, 96 have been clarified.
Based on the investigations, the authorities have carried out 65 raids, which have not only allowed the resolution of the cases but also dismantled gangs, captured those involved and seized firearms.
“Since 2021, 27 major operations have been carried out that have affected criminal groups with the capture or neutralization of their leaders,” said the commander of the Barranquilla Metropolitan Police, General Luis Hernández.
The authorities launched this Tuesday a QR code where merchants can report.
Cases that go unreported are higher
75 percent of extortion cases are not being reported out of fear, out of fear, because there have been deaths, injuries, because businesses have been shot at
The vice president of Undeco, Orlando Jiménez, acknowledged that the authorities are doing their job and capturing those responsible for these extortions, but the problem remains if no complaints are made.
“75 percent of extortion cases are not being reported out of fear, out of fear, because there have been deaths, injuries, because businesses have been shot at. People denounce, they capture the guy and after two months he is on the street, then it is worse, ”says the leader.
Among other data provided by this association, it is found that 90 percent of merchants in Soledad and Malambo are paying extortion, in Barranquilla more than 50 businesses have been closed and cases have increased since the second half of 2019.
“The merchants tell us that they are willing to pay extortionists up to 70,000 pesos a month to let them work, that is not right. But they pay that fee and another criminal organization appears that asks for 20 million and 10 million pesos,” says Jiménez.
(You may be interested: The figures of extortion of merchants in Barranquilla)
More details of the demonstration
Do not open commercial establishments from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.
The United Interunion Committee for the Atlantic delivered this Tuesday a series of recommendations to merchants for the demonstration on Thursday, February 24, among them “not to open commercial establishments from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm or 3:00 p.m. 00 p.m.”
The meeting point will be in the Peace Squarewhere merchants, their employees, vendors and all those who are victims of extortionists are invited to attend with white shirts.
The march starts from that point at 9:00 am and will take Calle 53 to connect with Carrera 44, going down it until it reaches Paseo de Bolívar, in front of the District Mayor’s Office.
The organizers ask to bring bugles, whistles, caps, water to hydrate and face masks. Also, carry Colombian flags, banners with messages alluding to the rejection of the scourge of insecurity.
Finally, they recalled that they will not accept the intervention in the march of politicians, candidates for the Chamber, Senate or Presidency, as well as demonstrations of campaigns or propaganda.
Deivis Lopez Ortega
Correspondent of EL TIEMPO Barranquilla
On twitter: @dejholopez
Write me at deilop@eltiempo.com
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