Colombia: Campesinos and indigenous groups end protests /update 4

Event

The Colombian government has reached agreements with both campesino (peasant farmer) and indigenous groups, ending most of the recent strikes and protests by the two camps in the departments of Norte de Santander (specifically the Catatumbo region), Cauca, and Huila.

After ending their strike at roughly 06:00 (local time) on Sunday, November 5, campesinos ​in the Catatumbo region ​have begun to clear the blockades they had erected on major roads in the encompassing Norte de Santander department as of November 6, and will negotiate remaining demands with the Colombian government November 27-29.

Similarly, agreements have been struck by the Colombian government and campesino and indigenous groups in Cauca and Huila departments over the past few days. Previously blockaded portions of the Pan-American highway in Cauca will begin to be cleared on November 6. Portions of the Hobo-Gigante highway in Huila previously blocked by indigenous groups are also clear as of November 6, following agreements made with regional government authorities. According to the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC), violence that broke out during protests in rural areas has wounded dozens and the blockades have cost the country's transportation industry roughly COP 5 billion (USD 1.5 million).

However, indigenous groups in the Catatumbo region are expected to continue their strike near the Venezuelan border.

Context

The motives behind the campesino and indigenous strikes are varied, and only loosely related. Campesino protesters have sought justice for murdered community leaders and violence used by security forces during coca eradication campaigns, and have demanded increased poverty amelioration efforts and improved security, education, and health services. Indigenous protesters have demanded the Colombian government honor commitments to help improve the living standards of violence-ridden indigenous communities. Additionally, campesino and indigenous groups claim that the Colombian government has not complied with previous agreements made to both, specifically accusing the Colombian government of reneging on their rural development commitments, including those stipulated in the Havana Peace Accord signed with Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) in 2016.

Advice

Individuals in Colombia are advised to monitor developments to the situation, systematically avoid all protests, and never attempt to cross a roadblock without authorization.