While the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic and many are experiencing for the first time the unsettling reality of having to consider whether a visit to see family or friends could put oneself in danger, the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, already accustomed to these risks, has been organising. Crisis management and limits on their movements are nothing new in a community that, in their 23 years of non-violent resistance to the armed groups that have controlled this area of Urabá, has seen over 300 of its members killed1. Continue reading Community organizing to face the pandemic: in the Peace Community solidarity prevails
Tag Archives: Uraba
A Long Journey Towards New Life
When the motor boat left the Turbo port to cross the Gulf of Urabá, I couldn’t stop thinking about the people who, almost 20 years ago, were starting a journey to return to their lands. Lands they had been displaced from in 1997, during the Genesis operation.1 Continue reading A Long Journey Towards New Life
1997: Urabá in turmoil
“Urabá” means “Promised Land”, and this region has long been at the very centre of the armed conflict for a number of reasons, including its geo-strategic position and Continue reading 1997: Urabá in turmoil
Mario Castaño, in memoriam
The 26th of Novembre 2017 seemed like any other hot and humid Sunday in the collective territory of La Larga Tumaradó. Mario Castaño, a land-restitution leader in the Chocó region of Urabá, had gathered his family to spend the day together at their small holding farm. However, Continue reading Mario Castaño, in memoriam
Land, culture and conflict
Land is part of the identity and culture of all communities the world over, and at the same time land lies at the root of many conflicts, because of the varying interests that surround it. Continue reading Land, culture and conflict