Early Releases, Transfers Affect Missionaries in Colombia

North American missionaries in Colombia who would have finished their service by the end of 1989 have been released early. Those with additional time remaining have been transferred to other missions in South America or the United States.

The transfers came in the wake of increasing drug-related violence in Colombia and general threats against Americans, though no threats had been made specifically against the Church or its members.

The South America North Area Presidency, who had been in Colombia monitoring the situation, made the changes in September.

Proselyting work continues in the country with the remaining missionaries—all from Latin America. There are about sixty thousand members of the Church in Colombia.