CSN News

Colombian Miners not recognized by the Government

2012-01-11T19:19:00.000-06:00

(Translated by Beatriz Vejarano, a CSN volunteer translator)Dear friends of RECLAME: We regret to inform you that yesterday the National Confederation of Miners of Colombia, Conalminerco, which is part of our Network, left the negotiation table with the national government given the impossibility of negotiating a mechanism to formalize mining by nationals. The Confederation had every intention

Marmato's City Council Approves Revision and Adjustment of Zoning Scheme

2012-01-07T14:33:00.001-06:00

Pro-Defense Committee of Marmato Regional Indigenous Council of Caldas (CRIDEC) Press Release [Translated by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by John Laun ] The inhabitants of Marmato halt the operation of open-pit mines in their territory, stop the relocation of the municipal capital and prohibit the demolition of the historical heritage. The

The Land Law Bill: forward and back

2012-01-05T12:33:00.001-06:00

Source:ToolBox Virtual Weekly ("Semanario Virtual Caja de Harramientas")Edition No. 00286—Week of December 23 to 30, 2011 (Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN volunteer translator)The Land Law Bill: forward and backBy Héctor Mondragón, Researcher and member of the Continental Social Alliance ("Alianza Social Continental") The proposal for a land and rural development law of the national government

Small-scale Miners Halt Pescadero-Ituango Hydroelectric Project Because of Lack of Water for Their Families

2012-01-03T15:16:00.001-06:00

Published: November 22, 2011 | Author: Notiagen | Archived in: Alimentacion Ambiente y Territorio, Medellin/Antioquia, Movilizacion Social, Noticias, Trabajo | [Translated by Susan Tritten, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.] For the last two weeks the Asociacion de Pequenos Mineros Afectados por el Proyecto Hidroituango (

THE PARAMILITARIES ARE IN COMPLETE CONTROL

2011-12-01T10:52:00.001-06:00

Translated by Eunice Gibson, CSN volunteer translator For several days now we have been making a record of the very difficult situations that people are experiencing here in the area of our Peace Community of San José de Apartadó. In spite of all of that, the government on acting as a spectator and as an accomplice to everything that is going on. -

PARAMILITARISM CONTINUES TO DESTROY US WITH THE TOTAL ACQUIESCENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT

2011-11-29T13:59:00.001-06:00

Original Source: Peace Community of San José de Apartadó[Translated by Eunice Gibson, CSN volunteer translator.] The complaints we have filed and our clamors for relief are continuing, without the government demonstrating any concern at all about the ferocious actions of the paramilitaries. They are an armed force that acts in complete coordination with the control points set up by the armed

STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL OF GENDER STUDIES, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBIA

2011-11-28T16:22:00.001-06:00

Original Source: National Conference of Afro-Colombian Organizations (CNOA) (Translated by Chelsea Match, a CSN Intern. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN Volunteer Editor.) The School of Gender Studies has experienced first hand the effects of the partial privatization of the National University. The permanence of this academic project depends largely on

THIS GOVERNMENT OF DEATH AND TERROR CONTINUES TO ADVANCE

2011-11-15T15:32:00.001-06:00

Original Source: Peace Community of San José de Apartadó[Translated by Eunice Gibson, a CSN volunteer translator.]The choice our Peace Community has made is focused since its beginning on the defense of life against any system of armaments. That is why we are making a record for those humans who do not share in the deadly plans or in actions that destroy life. Our choice for

REQUEST FROM WORKING GROUPS FOR DIALOGUE AND DEBATE ABOUT THE BILL FOR THE NEW NATIONAL STATUTE ON DRUGS AND PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

2011-11-15T15:23:00.001-06:00

Original Source: Coalition of Organizations in Colombia (see signers below) [Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN volunteer translator.] Bogota October 6, 2011 Mr. German Vargas Lleras Minister of the Interior Bogotá Re: Request from working groups for dialogue and debate about the bill for the new National Statute on Drugs and Psychoactive Substances, which will modify Law

WHILE THEY PROTECT THE PARAMILITARIES, THEY KEEP ON TRYING TO DESTROY THE CIVILIAN POPULATION

2011-11-11T14:02:00.001-06:00

Original Source: Peace Community of San José de Apartadó(Translated by Eunice Gibson, a CSN volunteer translator.) Fifteen days ago, we reported to the country and to the world how the paramilitary organizations are continuing their actions in our territory. They have their bases where they have always been, protected for years by the armed forces and all the other government authorities. We

CAMPESINO FAMILIES IN THE SOUTH OF CESAR PROVINCE ARE SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC HUNGER

2011-11-11T13:50:00.001-06:00

Original Source: United Nations News Agency(Translated by Eunice Gibson, a CSN volunteer translator.)This fact is revealed in a study by the Observers of Food Security and Nutrition (Obsan is the Spanish acronym.) and the Obusinga Corporation in Magdalena Medio. According to a sample composed of 100% of the population living in private homes in the urban and rural areas of the 12 municipalities

AFFECTED COMMUNITIES IN SANTANDER PROTEST AGAINST ISAGEN

2011-11-08T12:52:00.001-06:00

Original source: Otros Mundos Colombia(Translated by Elaine Fuller, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) September 28, 2011 "The president says that by loving the poor you will persist in multiplying them." Woman affected by Hidrosogamoso This past Monday, August 26, more than 200 people

DEFEATING THE DENIAL OF WAR: AN OPENING TO PEACE

2011-11-08T12:44:00.001-06:00

Original Source: Piedad Córdoba Ruiz(Translated by Susan Tritten, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN Volunteer Editor.) Is it feasible to maintain ethically and with some conceptual and empirical basis that there is no armed conflict in Colombia? After so much human suffering which confirms it, certainly it is not responsible, nor correct, to assert that

COLOMBIA SUPPORT NETWORK'S STATEMENT ON THE LAWYERS COLLECTIVE JOSE ALVEAR RESTREPO

2011-11-06T12:42:00.001-06:00

For immediate release November 5, 2011 The Colombia Support Network (CSN) expresses its strong support for and complete confidence in the work of the Colectivo de

GRAN COLOMBIA GOLD DECLARED PERSONA NON GRATA IN COLOMBIA (ENGLISH/ESPANOL)

2011-10-13T16:16:00.000-05:00

LETTER IN ENGLISHMarmato, September 7, 2011 Doctor: Maria Consuelo Araújo President Gran Colombia Gold (Medoro Resources)(Translated by Chelsea Match, a CSN Intern) The Marmato Mining Community wants to express its dissent and outrage against the Company's continuous threats towards small-scale miners. Through her work, Oselia Bejarano has started an intimidation

CSN's Statement on FTA with Colombia

2011-10-12T15:47:00.001-05:00

Madison, October 12, 2011As the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Colombia comes up for consideration in the U.S. Congress today, several basic points suggest this FTA should be rejected. They include the following:1. The FTA as drafted will have a severe impact upon small-scale farmers in Colombia, as they will be unable to compete with U.S. food crops coming into Colombia duty-free, but

Open Letter to Juan Manuel Santos about the Plan of Action for the Signing of the Free Trade Agreement

2011-09-28T16:43:00.000-05:00

Original Source : RECALCA (Translated by Richard Henighan, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Chelsea Match a CSN Intern) May 30, 2011 To: President Juan Manuel Santos Bogotá Mr. President: We, the organizations that compose The Colombian Action Network on Free Trade (RECALCA), publicly express to you that we believe the Free Trade Agreement signed with the

Saudi Cauca: This Used to be Called Fascism

2011-09-28T15:01:00.001-05:00

Original Source: Camilo González Posso[Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN volunteer translator] Camilo González Posso, in "Saudi Cauca," (http://www.elliberal.com.co/liberal/opinion/columnistas/103465-cauca-saudita) exposes the extractive project that is going forward in the terror zones of Cauca (see below). [Cauca is one of the four Pacific coast departments of Colombia—SC.

Environmentalists and multinationals see an opportunity in the collapse of the Mining Code

2011-09-27T16:08:00.000-05:00

Original : www.lasillavacia.com/historia/ambientalistas-y-multinacionales-ven-una-oportunidad-en-caida-del-codigo-minero-24279 By: Dora Montero Carvajal, May 19, 2011 9:31 pm[Translated by CSN volunteer translated Diana Méndez. Edited by CSN volunteer editor Teresa Welsh.] The decision by the Constitutional Court which brought down the reform to the Mines' Code (Codigo de

Solidarity Message with Marmato/ Engllish and Spanish

2011-09-23T21:44:00.000-05:00

ENGLISH SOLIDARITY MESSAGE WITH MARMATO Friday, September 23, 2011Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America COLOMBIA SUPPORT NETWORK (CSN), joins in the Gathering for Solidarity with Marmato tomorrow, Saturday, September 24, 2011, and sends an affectionate greeting to the people of Marmato and to the members of the Committee to Defend Marmato. Be sure

Correction of a January 29,2009 posting

2011-09-22T09:48:00.001-05:00

NOTE: It has come to our attention that an urgent action message of Thursday, January 29, 2009 presented three officials of InfoMine, a Canadian company providing information on mining technology and mineral exploration, as if they were officials of Muriel Mining Corporation. We wish to clarify, based upon information provided to us, that these three officials---Andy Robertson, Julian

Urgent Action message in response to Father Restrepo's murder

2011-09-21T10:47:00.004-05:00

The Colombia Support Network (CSN) expresses its outrage at the September 1, 2011 murder of Father Jose Reynel Restrepo, parish priest in the town of Marmato in central Colombia. Father Restrepo had spoken out against a plan by the Canadian mining company Grand Colombia Gold which would require the town of Marmato to be moved from its present location so that an open-pit gold mine

[csn-web] Marmato Gold Mining Plans and Murder of Marmato Priest Jose Reinel Restrepo

2011-09-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

We of the Colombia Support Network express our outrage at the September 1, 2011 murder of Father Jose Reinel Restrepo, parish priest in the town of Marmato in Caldas Department in west central Colombia. Father Restrepo had spoken out against a plan by the Canadian mining company Medoro Resources, which merged in July with a Colombian company, Gran Colombia Gold. The plan would require the town

HELP STOP CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW ROAD BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO AND MOCOA IN THE SIBUNDOY VALLEY

2011-08-04T20:05:00.001-05:00

HELP STOP CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW ROAD BETWEEN SAN FRANCISCO AND MOCOA IN THE SIBUNDOY VALLEY IN PUTUMAYO DEPARTMENT ( COLOMBIA) The indigenous communities Camentsa and Inga and other indigenous groups in Putumayo suffer anguish and worry because of the plan to construct a new segment of a road that crosses a strategic area which produces water in the Colombian Amazon region called Vinchioc,

Major Trade Legislation Expected

2011-07-19T11:11:00.000-05:00

Latest News Release – Interviews Available http://www.accuracy.org/ Major Trade Legislation Expected July 18, 2011 Dow Jones reports: "The Senate Finance committee plans Thursday to make another attempt to start informal debate on proposed trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, after Republicans on the panel boycotted last week's meeting." ARTHUR STAMOULIS,

An Effort to Stop Congressional Approval of the Colombia - US FTA

2011-07-12T14:40:00.000-05:00

ON THE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (FTA)Read the CSN's editorial on the proposed FTA and learn why the FTA with Colombia will cause real damage in both countries, while further enriching multinational businesses :http://editorial.colombiasupport.net/2011/07/three-misconceptions-about.html Read more details of why it portends disaster for Colombia's countrysidehttp://colombiasupport.blogspot.com/2011/06/

One woman’s story (Yanet’s) of how the PARAMILITARIES have taken over the Colombian peasants’ land in the midst of the armed conflict

2011-07-12T09:29:00.002-05:00

[Translated by Buddy Bell, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.] Six million hectares of land were stolen from the Colombian people. Their struggle is now. Up to today more than 40 community leaders, lawyers, and other outspoken people have been assassinated… sadly nothing is done to bring justice. 'Monoleche' and the battle for 'La Holanda'

Open letter from environmental organizations to the national government about the situation in the countryside, the peasants and those who defend life in Colombia.

2011-07-12T09:27:00.001-05:00

Signatures listed at the end of the letter. (Translated by Elaine Fuller, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) Bogotá, Colombia, May 12, 2011 The attached letter was delivered this past Thursday to President Santos and some members of his government with the signatures of more than a hundred national and international organizations and the

Oil Company and the Colombian Army Threaten Putumayo Communites

2011-07-11T14:52:00.001-05:00

From: Secretaría Técnica Departamental Subject: PUTUMAYO: ACCIÓN URGENTEDate: Monday, 20 June, 2011[Translated by Peter Lenny, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN Volunteer Editor.]THE OIL COMPANY CONSORCIO COLOMBIA ENERGY AND MEMBERS OF THE COLOMBIAN ARMY ARE STRONGLY THREATENING PEASANT LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS, PHYSICALLY AND MORALLY, IN THE DE EL TIGRE SECTOR OF

OFFICIAL CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS - TOWARDS EQUALITY FOR ALL

2011-07-11T08:45:00.001-05:00

By Luis Jairo Ramírez H. [Translated by Steven Fake, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN Volunteer Editor.] The government of President Santos, his media makeover and demagogic ads on the so-called five engines of growth, land restitution, and the key to peace, signal symptoms of intoxication, not only in the ruling elites but in certain political and social sectors of

Colombia is not a post conflict nation, nor is the human rights situation “normalized”. There is a war going on and serious violations are taking place with absolute impunity.

2011-07-11T08:44:00.001-05:00

The International Criminal Court (ICC) must intervene in Colombia, says the international children's court. (Translated by Diana Mendez, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) In Colombia impunity reigns over the crimes against humanity committed against children, youths and women. (Madrid/Agencias) The International Court of Children Affected by

The pupil outdoes the teacher

2011-07-11T08:42:00.001-05:00

Dear (Constituent) : Thank you for writing me about the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). I appreciate hearing from you on this issue. Throughout this process, Democrats and the Administration have been intensively working with the Colombian government to craft meaningful principles that promote strong economic ties, create American jobs and strengthen the standards

Victims stigmatized in hearing against 'Julián Bolívar' - Paramilitary Commander of the Bloque Central Bolívar

2011-06-28T18:37:00.001-05:00

Justicia y Paz Thursday, February 10, 2011 (Translated by Peter Lenny, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) Leader of this para's victims maintains they continue to be stigmatized in Justice and Peace proceedings. One of the weaknesses of the Justice and Peace Law is that the victims' versions are disregarded. Photo VerdadAbierta.com The

Territorial Consolidation in 95 Colombian Municipalities

2011-06-27T09:10:00.001-05:00

PODEC (Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) *The investment was more than $697 billion pesos [almost $395 million USD—SC] last year *35 percent of the returns in the country have been in consolidation zones *60 percent of the inhabitants of municipalities covered by the Consolidation

From the Revolutionary Independent Workers’ Movement (MOIR)

2011-06-27T09:08:00.001-05:00

Senators Jorge Enrique Robledo and Alexánder López, of the Polo Democrático.Visit our pages: http://www.moir.org.co, http://tribunaroja.moir.org.co , http://www.robledosomostodos.com, and http://www.deslinde.org.co--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The FTA in 2012: Worse than in 2007Aurelio Suárez Montoya, Bogotá,

Urgent Action Needed: Unauthorized eviction at El Tamarindo farm.

2011-06-27T09:04:00.000-05:00

Written by CSPP Tuesday April 26, 2011 - 4:07 PM (Translated by Buddy Bell, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) The Political Prisoner Solidarity Committee condemns the violations against the community of El Tamarindo in Barranquilla. We are trying to get the word out to your local community, national and international NGOs,

Military abuses continue in El Colima

2011-06-23T17:23:00.002-05:00

Thursday, April 14, 2011 [Interecclesial Commission for Justice and Peace] (Translated by Susan Tritten, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) Harassment and intimidation against the human rights defender and African-American leader, GERALDINE BALANTA, and the destruction of 12 hectares of subsistence crops, belonging to

Montes de María: Power, Land and Violence

2011-06-23T17:22:00.001-05:00

(Translated by Rolf Schoeneborn, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN's Volunteer Editor.) Razón Pública /Sunday, April 03, 2011 Montes de María, a zone located in the center of the Colombian Departments of Bolívar and

The Bilateral U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Portends Disaster for Colombia’s Countryside

2011-06-23T14:14:00.000-05:00

The Bilateral U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Portends Disaster for Colombia's Countryside As Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos visited President Obama in Washington, the U. S. government released several so-called "fact sheets" praising the deal, which President Obama seems eager to pass through Congress. The "fact sheets"

Colombia: military bases and disagreements

2011-06-20T16:51:00.001-05:00

María Isabel García, Radio Nederland [Dutch radio—SC]. February 18, 2011 (Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) The United States government will have signed more than one hundred contracts for an approximate sum of $13 million for construction projects on Colombian military base. This was revealed by Jorge Robledo, a

Incora, '40' and his thieves

2011-06-20T16:48:00.001-05:00

(Translated by Leo H Torres, a CSN Volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) VerdadAbierta.com documented as had never been done before, how the Agrarian Reform Institute was open to abuse by 'Jorge 40' and his cronies so they could legalize thousands of hectares of land taken by force to poor peasants in the Magdalena. Incoder returned 37 properties 'Jorge 40'

Parapolitics [i.e., the paramilitaries in the political life of the country—SC]

2011-06-20T16:02:00.001-05:00

"El Alemán" links Santiago Uribe Vélez (brother of the ex-president Álvaro Uribe Vélez)with the "Casa Castaño"(Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor. )Thursday, March 17, 2011What the ex-paramilitary leader points out is added to what has been indicated by the ex-members of the AUC [Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, "United

Armed Attacks and Rural Communities under Fire

2011-06-16T14:02:00.001-05:00

Armed Attacks and Rural Communities under Fire in El Tambo and Cajibío, Cauca (Colombia) by Patricia Rodriguez Colombia Support Network – Central New York Even the midst of media reports about the Obama administration's announcement of their satisfaction with the full compliance by the Colombian government to the Action Plan that encompasses labor reforms that supposedly

Mining in Colombia

2011-06-15T13:00:00.001-05:00

CSN Report: Mining in Colombia This link is to a very significant PowerPoint presentation by Professor Al Gedicks, prepared specially for the CSN national conference last week. Professor Gedicks has publshed several books and articles on what he has described as the "resource curse", problems brought to communities by international mining interests. He has focused especially upon indigenous

The Law for Victims and For The Restoration of Land

2011-06-02T16:19:00.001-05:00

THE LAW FOR VICTIMS AND FOR THE RESTORATION OF LAND: IT'S A LOT, BUT IT'S NOT EVERYTHING Por Maria Victoria Duque Lopez de razonpublica.com (Translated by Eunice Gibson, CSN volunteer translator) Sunday, May 29, 2011 The law creates a comprehensive balance between the extent of the law for victims and its transcendental significance, not only in the real area of reparations, but

PLEASE join the Arauz petition on behalf of the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado

2011-06-01T14:50:00.001-05:00

Dear Members and subscribers :Jorge Arauz a dear friend of the Peace Community and a dear friend of CSN has requested us to circulate and invite all of you to act on this petition to President Santos based in Father Giraldo's many petitions for justice for our beloved community. I invite you all to act upon this worthy action. Cecilia Zarate- Laun CSN Muchos y afectuosos saludos.Con el permiso

Multinationals would rather pay the ridiculous fines of the Ministry for Social Protection than respect the rights of their workers

2011-05-23T12:53:00.001-05:00

Letter from Senator Jorge Enrique Robledo to Mauricio SantaMaría, Minister of Social Protection, Bogotá, March 31, 2011(Translated by Diana Méndez, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, aCSN Volunteer Editor.4) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In keeping with Colombian law, when it is shown that a company hasviolated the

Communique from the “Coordinacion Colombia Europa Estados Unidos”

2011-05-23T12:50:00.001-05:00

[Translated by Sharon Bagatell, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSNVolunteer Editor.]Dear Friends,I remit here for your information a Denouncement from the Social Organizations of Putumayo. This organization has been subjected to threats, detentions, and legal charges, after holding aPublic Truth Hearing where they called attention to cases of violation of human rights.We ask

THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TRYING TO EXTERMINATE US

2011-05-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

Translated by Eunice Gibson, CSN volunteer translator We are continuing to make a record, before the nation and before the world, because the assaults against our Peace Community of San José de Apartadó are multiplying every week. The different agencies of the government, as some see them, are every day more blind and deaf to the outcries of the victims; as others see them, they

In Colombia ignorance abounds because people are not taught, in context, how things work

2011-04-30T14:18:00.000-05:00

(Translated by Deryn Collins, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, aCSN Volunteer Editor.)"In Colombia ignorance abounds because people are not taught, in context, how things work. From infancy they acquire useless and trivial bits of knowledge piecemeal, whichcreates a limited form of thinking which serves only to look at their real world andcreates a marked inability to think."

The Assassination of Francisco Villalba, Alvaro Uribe and the massacre of El Aro

2011-04-30T14:17:00.001-05:00

(Translated by Rachel Jacobs, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSNVolunteer Editor.)For Guillermo González Uribe- Magazine "Number"His name was Francisco Enrique Villalba Hernández, alias "Christian Barreto." He was condemned along with two of the biggest paramilitary bosses, Carlos Castaño and SalvatorMancuso, for the massacre of El Aro; the last two [men] for 40 years in

Senator Robledo denounced the privatization of Colombian military bases as another hidden agenda in the Plan for Development

2011-04-30T14:13:00.000-05:00

Press Office of Senator Jorge Enrique RobledoBogotá, February 28, 2011(Translated by Richard Henighan, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh,CSN Volunteer Editor) Foreign mercenary businesses will be able to stay. A brazen violation of nationalsovereignty. Santos is worse than Uribe. We're overrun with plutocrats.Senator Jorge Enrique Robledo described Article 112 as a hidden rider

WE HAVE EMBRACED LIFE AND WE WILL NOT GIVE IN TO THE

2011-04-29T12:56:00.001-05:00

(Translated by Eunice Gibson, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, aCSN Volunteer Editor.) Since we reported the murder of Bernardo on March 23, there have been continualattacks. They are trying to kill us off. The attack by the paramilitaries with the veryevident complicity of the armed forces just demonstrates their strategy of destruction of our way of life. We are making a

THE PARAMILITARIES ARE TRYING TO DISPLACE US

2011-04-29T12:47:00.001-05:00

PEACE COMMUNITY OF SAN JOSÉ DE APARTADÓApril 4, 2011 Translated by Eunice Gibson, CSN volunteer translator ". . . They are trying different ways to finish us off. Now they are trying to DISPLACE us, but our stubbornness in pursuing life won't let us give in to them . . ." We have already filed complaints about the threats by the spreaders of death to kill members of our

FOURTEEN YEARS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THERE IS ANOTHER MURDER

2011-04-29T12:43:00.001-05:00

PEACE COMMUNITY OF SAN JOSÉ DE APARTADÓMARCH 23, 2011 Translated by Eunice Gibson, CSN volunteer translator All of our community has been reflecting on the fourteen years that we have accomplished and on our alternatives, where we have said yes to life and no to killing. In the midst of that, we find ourselves with a new murder carried out by the paramilitaries, with the

More restitution victims

2011-04-28T12:49:00.001-05:00

[Judicial Edition of El Espectador on line]- Friday, 03/25/2011- 1:06 [Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by TeresaWelsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.] David de Jesús Góez, in Medellín; Bernardo Ríos Lodoño, in Apartadó and ÉverVerbel Rocha, in Sucre, are the first victims this year. The three were workingwith people who are reclaiming their land. The restitution of their

Colombian State Ombudsman promises to request that El Quimbo hydroelectric dam construction in Huila be halted

2011-04-28T12:47:00.001-05:00

A resistance group forum against energy mega-projects meets as the mining communityof Briceno (Antioquia) stops Hidroituango dam construction indefinitely March 16, 2011 (Translated by Rolf Schöneborn, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSNVolunteer Editor.) Festivities celebrating 'National Day in Defence of our Territories' (Jornada Nacional por laDefensa del Territorio)

EARLY WARNING IN CATATUMBO: PARAMLITARY THREATS

2011-04-28T12:45:00.001-05:00

BEFORE THE OMBUDSMAN, LEGAL CAPACITIES, ATTORNEY GENEREAL OF THE NATION, PUBLICPROSECUTOR OF THE NATION, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR ANDJUSTICE, MINISTRY OF DEFENSE, THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NORTE DE SANTANDER, THE MAYOR OF TIBÚ, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, INERNATIONALBODIES, NATIONAL AND REGIONAL OFFICES IN COLOMBIA OF THE UNITED

Press Release

2011-04-27T08:48:00.003-05:00

Bogotá, February 23, 2011 The Rural Community of Tame in Arauca Is Intimidated With Illegal Interrogations and False Testimony (Translated by Stacey Schlau, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) The community in the neighborhood of Caño

Asociación de Campesinos del Tolima [The Association of Peasants of Tolima—SC] confronts persecution and transnational interests

2011-04-27T08:48:00.001-05:00

The peasant leaders Héctor Orozco and Gildardo García are murdered after denouncing harassment by the Army. (Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) FENSUAGRO-CUT [Federación Nacional Sindical Unitaria Agropecuaria-Central Unitaria de Trabajadores de Colombia—National Confederated Agricultural/livestock Union

WE ARE ASKING FOR JUSTICE, NOT REVENGE

2011-04-27T08:45:00.001-05:00

(Translated by Eunice Gibson, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN Volunteer Editor.) " . . . The Community had insisted to the Public Defender's Office that the appropriate authorities ought to carry out the judicial inspection of the bodies, but they paid no attention. According to the Public Defender's Office, the Army had carried out exercises in that

Return has been on our minds since the day they kicked us out

2011-04-25T09:57:00.000-05:00

The displaced rural community "Las Pavas" returns to its land for good (Translated by Stephanie DeBello, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) Today, April 4, at 7:10 a.m. Colombian time, more than 70 adults returned to the property Las Pavas (El Peñón, Southern Bolívar) from which they were removed in July 2009 after being previously forcibly displaced

Parapolitics [i.e., the paramilitaries in the political life of the country—SC]

2011-04-25T09:46:00.001-05:00

The Expansion of Paramilitarism in the Llanos Orientales

2011-04-25T08:46:00.001-05:00

(Translated by Stephanie DiBello, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSNVolunteer Editor.)Private militias have long roots in the history of Meta, Casanare and Guaviare, but the most recent period of paramilitarism has been the bloodiest.Paramilitarism in the Llanos Orientales began over 50 years ago with the demobilization of theliberal guerrillas. The demobilization took

Press Release

2011-04-23T09:52:00.001-05:00

Humanidad Vigente and CPDH-Arauca ["Actual Humanity" and "Permanent Committeeto defend Human Rights of Arauca"] repudiate and reject the murder of a woman judgein Saravena, Arauca [Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, aCSN Volunteer Editor.]Gloria Constanza Goana, the criminal circuit judge of Saravena, who was trying the case of the rape of two girls,

Why it is that they want to seize our territory

2011-04-23T09:44:00.000-05:00

Written by Fedeagromisbol, the Agromineral Federation of Southern BolivarSaturday, 19 February 2011(Translated by Elaine Fuller, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.)Concerning the grave situation of human rights in the agromineral communities of southernBolívar.While the major communications media pay homage to the "great advances" that have supposedly

Political Milk; Restrepo I = Uribita III

2011-04-22T12:58:00.001-05:00

Aurelio Suàrez Montoya, Bogotá, March 1, 2011(Translated by Emily Schmitz, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSNVolunteer Editor.)In a teleconference on August 3, 2008, Andrés Felipe Arias asked, in a question stigmatizing fifty percent of milk traded by ¨information channels¨ as poisonous: ¨What amI going to give my baby?¨Along the same lines, on November 28, 2010, in the

Herbicide Spraying, Anti-personnel mines, kidnapping and armed confrontations affect the lives of children in the Colombian Department of Narino

2011-04-21T18:10:00.001-05:00

Press ReleaseHumanidad VigenteFriday, March 18, 2011, 17:11(Translated by Rolf Schöneborn, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.)The Colombian armed conflict has brought about various incidents in the NariñoDepartment bordering Ecuador in the first two months of this year that not only violated the human rights of children in this region but also endangered

About the alleged cartel of reservoirs and the “avivatos” in hydroelectric projects

2011-04-21T18:08:00.000-05:00

Jorge Gómez Gallego*, Medellín, February 27, 2011(Translated by Chuck Summers, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSNVolunteer Editor.)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Governor of Antioquia, without any evidence, and abusing the media power that theenormous marketing budget, which he manages, gives him, has been

From the Lawyers’ Collective, Jose Alvear Restrepo

2011-04-21T12:54:00.001-05:00

From the Lawyers' Collective, Jose Alvear Restrepo The army killed my little foot Thursday, February 17, 2011 (Translated by Diana Méndez, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) Around 850 peasants, indigenous people, afro-descendants, students, and others arrived in the municipality of Puerto Asís from different parts of the Putumayo

A prize for forced displacement and subsequent killings: Colonel Jose Gabriel Castrillón, advising Commission for the OAS in Washington

2011-04-19T15:04:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, December 15, 2010, Presna-Colectivo [Translated by Emily Schmitz, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.] On the February, 10, 2004 in the region of Urabá, four youth became victims of an extrajudicial execution. The decision to send Colonel José Gabriel Castrillón, investigated for these events, as OAS advisor in Washington, is seen as a "prize

THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE TRUTH (FEBRUARY 11 AND 12, 2011) DENOUNCES UNKNOWN MEN – PRESUMABLY PARAMILITARIES – WHO MASSACARED FIVE PEOPLE, AMONG THEM A CHILD, IN THE RURAL AREA OF DIOS PEÑA IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN MIGUEL, PUTUMAYO DEPARTMENT

2011-04-19T15:03:00.001-05:00

From: Corporation Yurupari Date: Saturday, 12 February, 2011 5:28 pm (Translated by Elaine Fuller, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.) The killers cut the throat of a five-year-old child. The organizations represented in the Public Hearing for the Truth which took place in the municipality of Puerto Asis, Department of Putumayo, included

WORLD ORGANIZATION AGAINST TORTURE (OMCT)

2011-04-19T15:01:00.001-05:00

OPEN LETTER TO MR. Juan Manuel Santos Calderon PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA [Translated by Leo Torres, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.] Mr. President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon President of the Republic of Colombia FAX: + 571 3375890 + 571 3372071 Bogotá, COLOMBIA Geneva, February 1, 2011 Re: serious concern at the

Andean Parliamentary Declaration

2011-04-16T14:22:00.001-05:00

(Translated by Emily Schmitz, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.) To address the Mining Development "Angostura" Project in Santurbán, Santander, Colombia. Andean parliamentary, signers of this declaration, united in the special XV period of Andean Parliamentary sessions held in La Paz, Bolivia during February 23, 24, and 25 2011. With the implementation

People of Bucaramanga united for water and life

2011-04-16T09:55:00.000-05:00

Dadan Amaya, Bucaramanga, February 24, 2011 [Translated by Leo Torres, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.] A 200 meter crater in the mountains from where 1075 million tons of rock and about half a gram of gold per ton will be extracted, 230 tons of ANFO per day, 745 million tons of waste, a consumption of 1253 cubic meters of water per hour, equivalent

Why do they insist on the FTA?

2011-04-16T09:54:00.001-05:00

[Translated by Steve Fake, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.] The U.S. government indefinitely postponed the process of the free trade agreement (FTA), and the expired Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) has not yet been extended. In the best of cases, should an extension be granted, the approval would only be for a few more weeks.

It's the Other Way Around: Using people of African descent in an attempt to defend the interests of palm companies of Urabá

2011-04-15T10:12:00.001-05:00

[Translated by Marlita Greenwald, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.] Bogota, March 1, 2011 According to information proceeding from Urabá, various buses with people from communities of African descent are heading to Bogotá to bring to life José Obdulio Gaviria's proposal for public protests. They will protest those who accompanied the watershed

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FLOWER WORKERS

2011-04-13T09:11:00.000-05:00

February 14, 2011 Flowers are exported & lives wither (Translated by Deryn Collins, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) For flower workers these days are special for many reasons. From around December 1 until late February, they are preparing for St. Valentine's Day, when the huge production of flowers is sold abroad. For the workers, this is

I finally understood the whole iceberg of parapolitics

2011-04-13T09:06:00.001-05:00

La Silla Vacia By: Juanita León http://www.lasillavacia.com/users/juana August 19, 2010 (Translated by Deryn Collins, Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, Volunteer Editor.) Claudia López became famous with her research on parapolitics, which revealed links between politicians and paramilitaries. Currently 97 congressmen have been tried in a court of law. Today, in the

Santos Lifts Restrictions on Rural Landholdings

2011-04-13T08:24:00.000-05:00

Jorge Enrique Robledo, Bogota, February 18, 2011 Source: MOIR - Tribuna Roja [Independent Revolutionary Workers' Movement - Red Tribune] (Translated by Susan Tritten a, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN Volunteer Editor.) With three economic items in the [National] Development Plan (45, 46 and 47), [President] Juan Manuel Santos and Juan Camilo Restrepo [Minister of

Speak Out Against Continued Aggression Against the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado

2011-04-09T21:58:00.001-05:00

( Translated by Eunice Gibson, a CSN volunteer translator) On April 4, 2011 the Colombia Support Network (CSN) received a very disturbing note from the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado. The Peace Community is the sister community of Dane County, Wisconsin. Ever since its formation back in March of 1997, the Peace Community of San Jose has courageously defended the

Special Report on Atrocities committed by the Colombian Army.

2011-04-06T13:00:00.002-05:00

Los niños y las niñas: otras víctimas de asesinatos por parte del Ejército colombiano Not even Boys and Girls are spared by Colombian the Armed Forces (Translated by Rolf Schoeneborn, Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, Volunteer Editor.) Agencia Pensamiento Crítico (compilación) Colectivo de Abogados Alvear Restrepo / Coordinación Colombia Europa Estados Unidos / Corporación

Restoring the Montes de María, between illusion and fear

2011-04-06T12:57:00.001-05:00

(Translated by Buddy Bell, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.) Tuesday, February 8, 2011 08:16 Peasant farmers remain watchful after the handing over of titles and subsidies in Mampuján, due to fear of violence following the purchase of thousands of hectares for agro-industrial projects.The Montes de María over the years became a

WIKILEAKS REVEALS THE M.O. OF MINING MULTINATIONALS

2011-04-06T12:56:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 (Translated by Susan Tritten, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.) According to Wikileaks Cable 38881 (dated August 19, 2005), the ambassadors of the United States and Canada met in Peru on August 11, 2005, with representatives of the US multinational Newmont [Mining], the Anglo American Quevalleco, the Australian BHP

PUBLIC HEARINGS CONTINUE IN TRIAL IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BOGOTA.

2011-04-05T10:39:00.001-05:00

(Monday, February 14) (Translated by Leo H. Torres, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CNS volunteer editor.) Gil admitted that he met twice with 'Ernesto Báez' Para-politics - Santanderes Former Senator from Santander agreed during the start of his trial for 'para-politics' that he met twice with 'Ernesto Báez', one of the leaders of the paramilitary Central

Poverty, the true face of "progress" in Colombia

2011-04-05T10:34:00.000-05:00

By Carlos Tobar, Huila Daily (Diario del Huila), Neiva Edition, January 11, 2011 (Translated by Steve Fake, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.) If anyone doubted the social reality of Colombia, the harsh winter rains that have ravaged the country have laid bare the grinding poverty in which most people struggle to live. Those on foot, from the

Sanitation Contracts, A Mine of Garbage

2011-04-05T10:33:00.000-05:00

Aurelio Suárez Montoya Bogotá, February 8, 2011 (Translated by Stacey Schlau, a CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.) Since 1988, LIME and Clean City have held the contract for garbage collection, sweeping and cleaning 40 percent of Bogotá. In 1991, another company, Aseo Capital [Capital Cleaning], took over 20 percent. The district

NGO 's repudiate and reject the murder of a woman judge in Saravena, Arauca

2011-04-01T13:37:00.001-05:00

Press Release Humanidad Vigente and CPDH-Arauca ["Actual Humanity" and "Permanent Committee to defend Human Rights of Arauca"] repudiate and reject the murder of a woman jusge in Saravena, Arauca (Translated by Steve Cagan, a CSN volunteer translator ) Gloria Constanza Goana, the criminal circuit judge of Saravena, who was trying the case of the rape of two girls, 13

Los Andes Students

2011-03-07T08:04:00.001-06:00

National Conference of the Afro-Colombian Organization (CNOA) (Translated by Emily Schmitz, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.) **All monetary values in this article are expressed in Colombian Pesos** It has been awhile since feeling an embarrassment for others; a feeling perceived when someone is "sticking their noses" where

In HECHOS DE PAZ No. 57: Land and human development

2011-03-07T08:03:00.000-06:00

By Absalón Machado C. Technical Director of the 2011 Human Development Report for Colombia (Translated by Peter Lenny, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.) The issue of land and rural development has been thrown open again in Colombia, after agrarian problems have spent over 20 years sidelined from public debate. The debate has

Minerals should stay where they are! This type of economy is not good for the country

2011-03-03T07:17:00.001-06:00

(Carlos Andrey Patino Guzmán, Unimedios) (Translated by Rolf Schoneborn, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN's volunteer editor.) These are the words of Graciela Chichilnisky, author of the carbon market concept and the carbon finance unit. She is asking the Colombian government, the private sector and even the Bogotá stock exchange to make the most of

The IPC Proposes An Open Debate About Land, Civilian Security, and Peace

2011-03-03T07:16:00.001-06:00

(Translated by Stacey Schlau, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN volunteer editor.) Medellín, Nov 30 (IPC) – During its week of human rights 2010, the People's Institute of Wellbeing (IPC) seeks, in essence, the following goals: deepening the discussions about the problem of land tenancy in Colombia, letting the victims of the armed conflict help write a

Alarming crime figures committed by paramilitaries, tools of the State, and multinationals

2011-03-03T07:14:00.001-06:00

(Translated by Emily Schmitz, CSN volunteer translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, CSN volunteer editor.) Kaosenlared Bogotá, January 13 The Attorney General, on the thirteenth of January 2011, revealed 173,183 homicides, 1,597 massacres and 43,467 documented disappearance cases committed by the supposedly dissolved and self-denominated United Self-Defense Forces

The Colombian Land is Becoming Foreign-Owned

2011-02-24T09:30:00.001-06:00

Domingo, 05 de Diciembre de 2010 12:09 Wilson Arias – PDA Fuente: CEDIN CORPORACIÓN PARA LA EDUCACIÓN, EL DESARROLLO Y LA INVESTIGACIÓN POPULAR - INSTITUTO NACIONAL SINDICAL http://cedins.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=266:extranjerizan-la-tierra-colombiana&catid=56:tierras-y-territorios&Itemid=69 (Translated by Carrie Burkhardt, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa

MANIFESTO OF STUDENTS OF IMA (Instituto Misionero de Antropologia) – UPB (Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana) FOR SEEDS AND THE EARTH

2011-02-23T09:59:00.001-06:00

In the framework of the Forum "Land, famine and man"Puerto Asis (Putumayo), 13 - 18 December, 2010 (Translated by Leo H. Torres, a CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by CSN volunteer editor Teresa Welsh.) This manifesto is aimed at all those willing to understand that solidarity is the fabric of peoples; the authorities, whom the society assigned a responsible position to make a positive mark of

Black Eagles [a paramilitary organization] Continue to Spread Terror in Buenaventure

2011-02-21T10:04:00.001-06:00

(Translated by Susan Tritten, CSN Volunteer Translator. Edited by Teresa Welsh, a CSN volunteer editor.) The community condemns disappearances, assassinations and displacements in Comuna Cinco and other neighborhoods. Conflict over territorial control grows. The idea of a "Buenaventura at peace," promoted by the district administration and seconded by the national government in their