The Colombian army is building a base in Llano Rico, one of Curvaradó’s 23 communities. The government is supposed to consult the members of the community before doing so in order to take into account the impacts of the base’s construction on the collective territory of Curvaradó.[1] Instead of consulting the rightful owners of the territory—the black community of Curvaradó—the military consulted Darío Montoya, a businessman that illegally occupies the territory. Mr. Montoya willfully consented to the construction of the military base on a plot of land that belongs to the Afro-Colombian community. The community’s complaints to government officials fell on deaf ears, and construction continues. Members of the community are not necessarily opposed to the military’s presence, but they do want the military to respect Colombia’s Constitution. The communities wonder why the government is building a military base while it is supposedly promoting peace. Concerns of ties between the military and paramilitaries are still valid. The community demands protection around its perimeter, but that does not require the construction of a base that will increase the impacts of the armed conflict in its territory. A free, prior, and informed consultation is the proper way to discuss these concerns, but it never happened.History is a clear indicator that neither the government nor business interests are interested in consulting the communities. The government feels more comfortable negotiating with political and economic elites that are more amenable to their plans for “progress” and “development” (hence the conspicuous deal with Mr. Montoya).
International Verification Commission warns of a possible paramilitary slaughter in Lower Atrato http://justiciaypazcolombia.com/Comision-internacional-de-6055 Responding to the request of the Community of Santa Rosa del Limón to verify related harm Jiguamiandó plugging and impact of unauthorized works company Maderas del Darién on structural issues of territory, the International Verification Commission held, between 27 and 29 November 2012, a visit to the Curvaradó, Jiguamiandó Lemon and Santa Rosa.The situations underscore the complaint could state permanent communities about the possibilities that these new situations arising will result in forced displacement. We identified the following facts, which are considered particularly serious circumstances:The mission received direct testimony that report the presence of paramilitary forces in the area. Threats are reported. Particularly worrisome is the presence of about twenty paramilitary camouflage uniforms and rifles, identified as Autodefensas Gaitanistas of Colombia (AGC). The paramilitaries are occupying civilian homes in Guamo. The Commission heard testimony from a representative of the community that paramilitaries are planning a slaughter in the area.At the same time we have seen the construction of a military base in Llano Rico, Curvaradó. According to sources, the construction began in September 2012. There was no prior consultation Curvaradó communities, but according to testimony received agreed with Mr. Dario Montoya, bad faith occupant of that property. Several members of the community councils who spoke to the Commission expressed deep concern over the construction, noting that there are still links between paramilitaries in the area and the military forces.
In Bijao communities and New Union, and Mancilla peguita basin, several families are threatened if they return back to their territory. This situation occurs after your requirements have been neglected by the competent state institutions, including the National Land Restitution. Families reported being attacked and driven from their homes by workers Administrator Juan Guillermo Gonzales Moreno, who has had close relations with paramilitaries and was imprisoned for it, as recorded in public media. With respect to illicit crops in areas of the community of Santa Rosa Limon Sandy Area, which was verified by the International Mission in March of this year, the community complained that the same people are still farming, harvesting and coca processing under the supervision of paramilitary forces, armed forces without regular army taking effective measures, which is worrisome for the obvious risks they pose to the community. Signed at Rio Sucio, on November 30, 2012 Katío Association (Spain)
Mensen met een Missie (Netherlands) France Amerique Latine (France) Ethics Commission
Colombia Land Rights Monitor (USA) Kolko - Colombia Human Rights (Germany) Dr. Stephen Haymes De Paul University (USA) Ethics Commission
In Bijao communities and New Union, and Mancilla peguita basin, several families are threatened if they return back to their territory. This situation occurs after your requirements have been neglected by the competent state institutions, including the National Land Restitution. Families reported being attacked and driven from their homes by workers Administrator Juan Guillermo Gonzales Moreno, who has had close relations with paramilitaries and was imprisoned for it, as recorded in public media. With respect to illicit crops in areas of the community of Santa Rosa Limon Sandy Area, which was verified by the International Mission in March of this year, the community complained that the same people are still farming, harvesting and coca processing under the supervision of paramilitary forces, armed forces without regular army taking effective measures, which is worrisome for the obvious risks they pose to the community. Signed at Rio Sucio, on November 30, 2012 Katío Association (Spain)
Mensen met een Missie (Netherlands) France Amerique Latine (France) Ethics Commission
Colombia Land Rights Monitor (USA) Kolko - Colombia Human Rights (Germany) Dr. Stephen Haymes De Paul University (USA) Ethics Commission
[ed note: also see..The Impact of the U.S.-Colombia FTA on Afro-Colombian Territories ...
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