Intimidation against indigenous communities continues in Cauca

Once again the communities of Norte del Cauca denounce threats against them, since in less than three weeks there are already six intimidating pamphlets by criminal groups, which claim to be part of the Black Eagles. The threats are mainly directed at different members of the indigenous and community communities belonging to the guard who are present in this region.

The denunciation is made by Jhoe Sauca, member of the CRIC and the Kokonuko people, who raises his voice in protest against the direct threat against the councils of the Regional Council. This fact constitutes a constant re-victimization for the ancestral communities of the department of Cauca, who have been constantly affected by the armed conflict.

Sauca published the pamphlet in digital format, in which letter they affirm that social cleansing will be carried out, and they macabre point out that the victims will have to list their coffins before it is sent, noting that the ideals of the left have permeated them and that they are allegedly at the service of drug trafficking.

The intimidating pamphlet highlights: “In compliance with our previous communiqués, we continue to notify what are called social organizations and that are only in the service of drug trafficking and the destructive left, represented by their Historical Pact, this time the turn is for the so-called downtown area and its councils, where we clearly know that they do not work for the community, but rather, that they have that place as a fortress of politics and the embezzlement of resources, that is why we have decided to do a social cleansing starting with: Wilson Maca, Eider Zambrano, Nilson Sauca, Wilman Manquillo, Simon Caldón, Unfortunately we will also have to discharge boys who we thought they were good and that unfortunately they allowed themselves to be brainwashed by the carrion on the left, as is the case with Roiber Melenje, Bryan Ruiz, Leonardo Valencia and guard coordinator Ferney, who have gradually allowed themselves to be convinced and are now part of that despicable group. Get your drawers ready and we won't fail.” .

In addition to this worrying document, there is a threat against several leaders in municipalities in the southwest of the Valley, since the so-called “social cleansing” would take over the urban perimeter of several jurisdictions, in this case, the threat originates from a group that claims to belong to the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, in which they state:” We comply, we reiterate to all the nightclubs in Miranda, Corinto, El Palo, Caloto, Santander and other towns such as Florida, Pradera, Jamundí, we are not responsible for what may happen, the order is to execute all militiamen, who are only extension workers and tax collectors, we also call on those who are good that you have information, we have precise information about each of you, we hope you will stop supporting the Covenant if you want to stay alive.” It is important to note that with regard to these threats, a common denominator emerges with regard to the insinuation regarding the support that the victims give to the Historical Pact.

The OAS has spoken out in the face of the constant belligerence in northern Cauca, this type of event has segregated indigenous communities and their free development in ancestral territories, in addition to the constant calls by the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the presence of armed groups in the region, with different early warnings that seek timely intervention by the authorities and the State presence in these sectors.

So far in 2022, 43 social leaders have been killed, of which 11 have been indigenous. Criminal acts have predominated in the departments of Choco, Cauca and Nariño, that is, the Pacific region of the country, a strategic point for the expansion of drug trafficking by criminal groups, who want to take geographical control of an area that facilitates their departure to Central America.

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