Once again indigenous communities blocked the road that connects Quibdo with Medellín

On Tuesday, the indigenous communities that live in the vicinity of the road that leads from Quibdó (Chocó) to Medellin (Antioquia) are again blocking the vehicular corridor, which, they say, has been in poor condition for years without being repaired by local authorities.

According to local digital media outlet YC Noticia, these people are demanding, apart from the road arrangement, that they carry out other works to which they have committed themselves, such as the construction of school classrooms and the improvement of pedestrian roads.

Given the situation, the Personería de Lloró (Chocó) sent one of its officials to mediate with the native communities, where one of the representatives of the company that is carrying out the works on the road corridor was also present.

“The Latinco company committed that in six months the works corresponding to community participation will be completed,” they reported through the Facebook account of La Personería.

This would include the adjustments requested by the communities in the public space and in the educational infrastructure of the area.

“From March 23, activities related to the construction of the access stairs to the community of Las Toldas will begin; after that they will improve the community environment and build two school classrooms with their respective sanitary batteries”, they indicated in the Public Ministry.

A commission that will be made up of the Personería, teachers, community leaders and also the indigenous liaison of the area will oversee the construction company's compliance with the commitments.

At least 30 indigenous children in Chocó have committed suicide to avoid being recruited

More than 30 indigenous children and adolescents have taken their own lives to avoid being recruited by the dissidents of the FARC, Eln and the Self-Defense Gaitanistas of Colombia (AGC), in recent years.

“Suicide has become a method of protection for indigenous children and adolescents who do not want to be part of the ranks of illegal armed groups,” Gerardo Jumi Tapias, general councilor of the National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (Onic), confirmed in dialogues with RCN Mundo.

After the report revealed by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) on forced recruitment has not ceased, indigenous authorities spoke out despite the fear that exists for reprisals by armed groups.

They reported that, even, the figure could be higher because of the underreporting generated by the panic to be reported and that they were killed.

“The recruitment situation for indigenous peoples in the department of Chocó is very serious. And it is so worrying that an entity such as the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), found not only recruitment but also suicides of young people who have taken their own lives so as not to be part of the ranks of armed groups in particular of FARC dissidents; we are very sure that the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, paramilitary group, also recruits indigenous youth,” said Gerardo.

According to the indigenous leader, the underreporting of both recruitment and suicide is increasing.

On recruitment, he indicated that the same is true because the fear of the reaction of illegal armed groups is much greater. “In cases of recruitment there is an undetermined number, complaints are there but there is also a record, everything remains anonymous in silence to avoid reprisals.”

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