In May 2017, the people of Buenaventura took to the streets to demand better living conditions and a fulfillment of their basic rights. After 22 days of peaceful protests,[1]  the Civic Strike Committee–- accompanied by the Association for Social Research and Action (NOMADESC)–-reached a series of agreements with the Colombian government. This was possible due to the peaceful protest’s perseverance and magnitude.

Berenice Celeita is the founder and president of the Association NOMADESC, a human rights organization that advises and accompanies social, trade union, civic, women’s, indigenous, Afro-descendant, and peasant organizations.

In the following video Berenice tells us about Buenaventura’s Civic Strike movement, and its fight for economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights. It is important to remember that the financial flow in Buenaventura is one of the most important in the country, while its population lacks access to healthcare, potable water, and education, in addition to living in a context of generalized violence.

PBI Colombia

Footnote

[1] Asociación Nomadesc: El Pueblo que cambió su historia en 22 días, 9 December 2019

**Video realized by Javier Bauluz and produced thanks to the support the International Cooperation Agency of Extremadura for the Development (AEXCID)