BBC News

Colombian youths in fear over Facebook hitlist

August 25--Colombian police are investigating the killings of three youths whose names appeared on hitlists published on the social networking site Facebook.

25 de agosto de 2010

The hitlists warned scores of teenagers in the town of Puerto Asis, in southern Colombia, to leave town or be killed.

Two of the youths named were shot on 15 August, while a third was killed five days later.

Police have sent an investigative team, including internet experts, to find out who is behind the threats.

A local official said a criminal gang had recently expanded its operations to the area and was intimidating locals.

Diego Ferney Jaramillo, 16, and Eibart Alejandro Ruiz Munoz, 17, were shot dead as they were driving along a road on the outskirts of Puerto Asis in Putumayo province on their motorcycle on 15 August.
 
Read more here.

Semana International delivers news about Colombia in English. Find more in our home.