On 11 January 2024, in Colombia, armed men identifying as members of the Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia (AGC) visited the homes of human rights defenders Richard Zapata, Maria Rojo Villa, and Luis Angela Agudelo in Sabanalarga, Antioquia, demanding they work for the group and provide information about their activities. The men threatened them with violence if they refused. Following these threats, the leaders and their families were forced to evacuate their homes for safety. These threats are seen as retaliatory actions against their legitimate environmental advocacy.

These incidents come amid a growing climate of violence against those opposing large-scale development projects, particularly in regions affected by environmental degradation and forced displacement. Reports indicate that many leaders received death threats, and some were subjected to physical attacks.

The threatened human rights defenders are part of the Ríos Vivos Movement, which comprises 15 grassroots organizations representing women, youth, miners, farmers, and fishermen, has been at the forefront of protests against the Hidroituango hydroelectric project, run by the company Empresas Publicas de Medellin (EPM). This mega project has caused significant social and environmental impacts, including forced displacements, lack of fair compensation, inadequate relocation options, and adverse health effects on local communities. Since 2008, members of the Ríos Vivos Movement have faced numerous acts of aggression, including assassination threats and violence against defenders of the Cauca River and the rights of affected communities.