Bedoya, editorial writer for El Pais, Cali's daily newspaper, vehemently crusaded against drug cartels and government corruption in his editorials. I prefer the influence of the gringos, to the influence of the narcotraffickers. I prefer the intervention into our internal affairs by the gringos, to that of the drug cartels. The drug cartels are not the only enemy journalists face. They are increasingly persecuted from all sides.
Danger is ubiquitous.
The ELN threatened to attack stations that broadcast political campaigning. The group blew up the headquarters of two national radio broadcasters in Cucuta, the capital of the northeastern Norte de Santander state. In Popayan, a southern colonial town of quaint churches and shady plazas, threats were extended to television stations and the local press. Authorities repudiated the terrorist acts. Prior to the elections President Samper assured his citizens that he would oversee a safe and peaceful electoral process.