After three environmentalists murdered, community radio threatened over its support for their cause

Reporters Without Borders is disturbed to learn that Radio Victoria, a community radio station in the northern department of Cabañas that has been supporting environmental activists in their opposition to a Canadian company's local gold-mining operations, has received renewed threats just days after two more activists were murdered at the end of last month. "We support the call by the people of Cabañas and we request a thorough and independent investigation aimed at identifying those responsible for these threats," Reporters Without Borders said. "It is vital that Radio Victoria's journalists, who are playing an essential reporting role for both the local population and the international community, are given protection." The threats first began last July when Radio Victoria's journalists condemned the abduction, torture and murder of environmental activist Gustavo Marcelo Rivera. The police quickly concluded that his death was a routine murder despite overwhelming evidence that it was linked to his leading role in opposing the Cabañas operations of Vancouver-based Pacific Rim Mining Corp.