A number of sources have reported that the Colina Group is apparently a death squad directed by the Peruvian National Intelligence Service (SIN) (Americas Watch 27 Sept. 1993, 2; CNDH Aug. 1997; LAWR 22 Apr. 1997; Peru Action and News Mar. 2000). According to three of these sources, the group reports to Vladimiro Montesinos, a very close advisor of President Fujimori (ibid.; Americas Watch 27 Sept. 1993, 2; CNDH Aug. 1997). It has also been reported that intelligence officer Santiago Martin Rivas has been in charge of carrying out the activities of the Colina Group (Americas Watch 27 Sept. 1993, 7; Peru Action and News Mar. 2000; UPI 8 April 1997).

According to Americas Watch, the Colina Group is made up of officers from the army's Directorate of Intelligence (DINTE) who have allegedly committed human rights abuses or been involved in corruption and who want to redeem themselves and be paid higher salaries (ibid., 8). Between 20 and 25 officers were apparently recruited to form the Colina squad in 1990 and conduct clandestine anti-guerrilla operations such as disappearances and murders, in exchange for having their criminal records cleared (ibid.). However, the Latin American Weekly Report makes a brief mention of the Colina Group and its activities before President Fujimori came to power in 1990 (22 April 1997).

The Colina Group was accused of killing nine students and a professor at La Cantuta University in 1992 (Americas Watch 27 Sept. 1993, 2; AFP 25 May 1998; LAWR 22 April 1997). The Americas Watch report adds that the group was also involved in the massacre of 15 people in November 1991 in the Barrios Altos district of Lima (2). Santiago Martín Rivas was charged and convicted for his part in the La Cantuta affair, but was granted amnesty in 1995 after serving only one year of his sentence (LAWR 22 April 1997; UPI 8 April 1997). Six other members of the group convicted for their role in the La Cantuta killings were also granted amnesty in 1995; according to Defence Minister Victor Malca they were subsequently removed from the armed forces (ibid. 21 Nov. 1995).

In 1998, José Arrieta, a Peruvian journalist, accused the army intelligence service of plotting to arrest him because he was investigating the mass killings and human rights abuses committed by the Colina Group (AFP 9 Jan. 1998). According to the journalist, there was an arrest warrant out for him (ibid.). Furthermore, the IPS agency reported in June 1998 that Arrieta had claimed refugee status in the United States and that he had been accused of attempting to bribe an officer to admit the existence of a "shadowy" paramilitary group called Colina (25 June 1998).

There was no reference, in the sources consulted by the Research Directorate, to the Colina Group's involvement in any human rights violations in 1999 and 2000.

Please see the 27 September 1993 Americas Watch document entitled Peru: Anatomy of a Cover-Up: The Disappearances at La Cantuta for further information on the Colina Group and its involvement in the La Cantuta affair. Please also see PER33215.E of 30 June 1999 for information on the group and its involvement in the disappearance of Mariella Barreto.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 January 1998. "Peruvian Reporter Charges Army Intelligence Seeks to Arrest Him." (NEXIS)

_____. 25 May 1998. "Peruvian Intelligence Agents Charged with Human Rights Violations." (NEXIS)

Americas Watch. 27 September 1993. Peru: Anatomy of a Cover-Up: The Disappearances at La Cantuta. New York : Americas Watch.

Coordinadora Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (CNDH). August 1997. The Situation of Human Rights in Peru. http://www.derechos.net/cnddhh/informes/sube.html [Accessed 2 June 2000]

Inter Press Service (IPS). 25 June 1998. Zoraida Portillo. "Journalists Living Dangerously." (NEXIS)

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 22 April 1997. "Murder Takes Lid Off Rivalries in Regime; Death of Intelligence Agent Leads to Mass of Leaks." (NEXIS)

Peru Action and News [Berkeley, Calif.]. March 2000. Committee to Support the Revolution in Peru. " 'School of Assassins' Yearbook Peru." http://www.csrp.org/pan/soa.html [Accessed 2 June 2000]

United Press International (UPI). 8 April 1997. "Peru to Probe Intelligence Torture Case." (NEXIS)

_____. 21 November 1995. "Pardoned Peruvian Army Members Retired." (NEXIS)

IRB Databases

Country Reports for Human Rights Practices for 1999. 2000

Jane's Intelligence Review [London]. 1999-2000

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1995-2000

Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group Report [London]. 1995-2000

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

El Comercio [Lima]. Search engine. 1996-2000

El Espectador [Bogotá]. Search engine. 1996-2000

Human Rights Watch

United Nations

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