Justicia y Paz (Peace and Justice) March 25, 2020
(Translated by Eunice Gibson, CSN Volunteer Translator)
Today the indigenous community of Nuevo Cañaveral refused to attend a meeting demanded by the AGC in Pisingos. Since 1996 this place has been the site for planning paramilitary armed operations.
The indigenous community fears that this decision will subject them to armed retaliation by the AGC against the three leaders they had threatened a few hours ago, or against other members of the Reservation.
Yesterday, March 24 at 10:30 a.m. the Community of the Nuevo Cañaveral of Jiguaiandó, in Carmen del Darién (Chocó Province) was ordered to take part in a meeting called by the paramilitaries of the AGC at a place known as La Esmeralda, located on the road between Pavarandó and Urada.
Three AGC members, including the one called “El Politico”, demanded that the Community turn over the material that was taken from them last February 11 during an incursion in the Nuevo Cañaveral. (See https://www.justiciaypazcolombia.com/indigena-de-nuevo-canaveral-enfrenta-incursion-paramilitar-de-las-agc/)
The Community repeated that it would be impossible to return anything because all of it was in the custody of the authorities.
One of the AGC responded to the Community’s answer by threatening three Community leaders. He falsely accused them of being members of the ELN.
The indigenous community insisted that they are a civilian population and their way of life is civilian.
Very near the location known as Búfalo, in front of a house with a red roof, more than 15 men who were part of the AGC were gathered.
On that road known as the Bracharia Farm, “El Politico” joined the group of AGC paramilitaries.
After 30 minutes, the AGC paramilitaries barged into the Community and they demanded that two of the indigenous leaders attend a meeting they planned to hold at 10:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, March 25 at a place known as Los Pisingos. It’s about halfway between Pavarando and Llano Rico.
The paramilitaries’ retaliations, threats, accusations, and incursions have been repeated in Nuevo Cañaveral all of last year, without any effective action by the government; not by the Armed Forces, and not by any investigative agency.
Bogota, D.C., March 25, 2020
Intereclesial Commission for Justice and Peace