Facebook Hit List

By Paul Thompson, Daily Mail

26 August 2010 - Panic has gripped a Colombian town after three teenagers whose name appeared on 'hit list' posted on Facebook were murdered.

Terrified parents of other teenagers named on the list have sent their children away for fear they will be gunned down.

A drugs cartel is believed to be responsible for the death list that was published on the social network site with the names of 100 people.

Alongside the names was the grim warning: 'Get out of town within three days or suffer the same fate as the victims.'

Within days two teenagers whose names were on the list had been shot dead.

Diego Ferney Jaramillo, 16, and 17-year-old Eibart Alejandro Ruiz Munoz were shot and killed while riding a motorcycle near the town of Puerto Caicedo.

Days after the first killings 19-year-old Norbey Alexander Vargas was shot dead.

Police had initially not taken the Facebook threat serious.

They believe the deaths are linked to the drugs trade.

Colombian media said the killings were the work of Los Rastrojos or 'The Stubble', which is one of the most powerful drug cartels in the country.

Facebook has since removed the posting, but many families have sent youngsters to stay with relatives fearing further killings.