We have received news of a stand-off between the Colombian police and a 9,000 strong assembly of workers and peasants in Colombia in the region of Cauca. The workers and peasants are in grave danger as the state is moving in to dislodge them from the Pan-American highway that they have blockaded in the South-West of the country.
There has been a wave of
mobilisations of the indigenous peasants in Colombia in the last week
to coincide with the 512 anniversary of the arrival of the Spanish
colonisers. It also coincides with a strike
wave, including some 18,000 sugar cane workers, who have declared
their solidarity with the indigenous communities. The striking
workers of the juridical system, however, seem to have reached an
agreement with the government in the last few days.
Uribe, the president of Colombia has declared a state of emergency and sent in the para-militarises and the police. Already 35 indigenous activists have been injured in the area, of whom two seriously. Security forces have attacked the unarmed indigenous protesters with everything from machetes to long-range rifles.
The indigenous groups are calling for international solidarity. Send protest letters to your local Colombian embassy. See a list here.
See also the UK Colombia Solidarity Campaign website for more information.
See also:
- Colombia: From Capitalist horror without end to the struggle for Socialism by William Sanabria (August 12, 2008)