Amnesty International is concerned that the breakdown of peace talks is exacerbating an already serious human rights crisis. The organization is also concerned that President Alvaro Uribe Vélez’ security policies will only serve to entrench the cycle of violence affecting the whole of Colombia. These measures, including the creation of a million-strong civilian network of informers and the application of a state of emergency (estado de conmoción interior) on 11 August 2002, threaten to drag the civilian population further into the conflict and to strengthen existing mechanisms of impunity.