Stop U.S. Plans To Build New Military Bases in Colombia
The United States is expanding its military relationship to Colombia with plans to open some five military bases there. FOR-Colombia set up a letter to tell Secretary of State Clinton we do not want more military bases in Colombia.
Protect Human Rights Defenders in Colombia
To denounce human rights violations in Colombia is dangerous business. Despite the illegal spying, threats and assassination attempts to which defenders are subjected, many brave Colombians continue to monitor violations and speak out. In August 2009, a colossal illegal espionage operation undertaken by Colombia's Presidential intelligence agency against defenders was disclosed. Supreme Court magistrates and journalists were also targets of this terror-causing, dirty operation. The U.S. Office On Colombia initiated a campaign to protect Colombian rights defenders, please sign their letter asking Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to give human rights in Colombia its due diligence and support defenders under threat in Colombia.
Close The School of the Americas
After covering human rights stories in Colombia for seven years, I finally made the pilgrimage to Fort Benning, Georgia in November 2009 to join some of the 15,000 protestors who converge from all parts of the country to demand an end to the School of the Americas, SOA. Although it was renamed the "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation," in 2001 it is the same combat training school that has instructed more than 60,000 Latin American soldiers in torture, counter-insurgency and psychological warfare. Hundreds of thousands of Latin American teachers, student leaders, organizers, union workers, religious workers and peasant groups have been tortured, raped, massacred and disappeared by SOA graduates.
Colombia is the largest recipient of training at the School of Americas, which could reflect why the Colombian armed forces have the worst human rights record in the hemisphere. The film WE WOMEN WARRIORS documents several emblematic human rights violations, told from the perspectives of indigenous women, struggling to defend their land lives, culture amid the 60-year armed conflict. My film documents the 2006 massacre of five Awá people committed by the Colombian army, as well as the systematic killing of some 300 Kankuamos perpetrated mostly by the army and paramilitaries.
Travel to Colombia and See for Yourself
A few activist and faith groups offer educational and investigative delegations to Colombia focusing on fumigations and human rights in peace communities, among other opportunities.
Ten (More) Things You Can Do to Support Peace in Colombia
Recent Developments
On February 1, 2010, the Obama administration disclosed its 2011 budget proposal in which more than $50 million of mostly military aid to Colombia was cut. Despite Colombia Defense Minister Gabriel Silva’s visit to Washington a couple weeks later to request more U.S. assistance, the military cut remains firm.
On February 3, 2010 Human Rights Watch released its latest report from Colombia: Paramilitaries’ Heirs: The New Face of Violence in Colombia. It is the product of a tw-year rigorous investigation and highly recommended.
Inform Yourself
Visit Just The Facts: A civilian's guide to U.S. defense and security assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean – Center For International Policy, Latin America Working Group & Washington Office On Latin America.
Listen to a "Just the Facts" podcast discussing recent developments on Latin America in the region and in our nation's capital.
Visit Plan Colombia And Beyond for timely dispatches and readings on peace, security, human rights and the U.S. role in Latin America, from the Center for International Policy.
Learn more about recent attacks against the Nasa, Awá and Kankuamos – the three nations covered in Weaving Wisdom. Read articles by Adam Isacson, such as:
- Nasa: An "error", or and "act of clear war?"
- Awá: Massacres In Nariño
- Kankuamo: Another attack on an indigenous community...
Fellowship Of Reconciliation Colombia
Visit FOR Colombia for informative updates, U.S. Advocacy and Policy, activist events in the U.S. and news from FOR Colombia's Peace Presence Team based in Colombia.
Visit the U.S. Office On Colombia's "About Colombia" section to read more about paramilitary demobilization, human rights, peace, fumigations, free trade, labor rights, indigenous groups, afro Colombians, etc.
Washington Office On Latin America
Visit WOLA to learn more about U.S. policy in Colombia and Latin America and how to pressure Congress to protect the dignity and human rights of the people there.
