Irregularities denounced in the capture of indigenous governor Reinaldo Quebrada Quilcué

Among the flags of the Colombian Government to combat deforestation, the protection of the oceans and biodiversity, is the military strategy “Operation Artemis”. According to President Iván Duque, it was created in 2018 to stop “deforestation haemorrhage”.

One of the actions of this strategy led by the Ministry of Defense happened on March 5. On that day, troops from the National Army arrived at El Triunfo, a territory located between Meta and Caquetá. In the midst of military operations, the authorities announced the capture of five peasants accused of deforesting and occupying protected natural park sites.

However, indigenous communities settled in this area of the country have been denouncing the multiple acts of human rights violations, which have occurred in the midst of Artemis's operations. On September 18, 2021, assured the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRIC), Military Forces arrived at the same village El Triunfo, burned four houses and arrested three people.

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Regarding these operations, the indigenous community wonders whether the military campaign is reaching the real deforesters or is only putting the burden of crime on the peasantry. For these reasons, indigenous authorities in Cauca assured the local media El Cuarto Musketeer that they have begun to act for self-justice.

That afternoon of March 5, when the military captured the five peasants from the municipality of Vista Hermosa (Meta), the indigenous community went to the municipal military station to demand the release of the people. Speaking to the Office of the Ombudsman, the indigenous people assured that “they were received by bullet by 12 members of the Military Forces”.

One of those shots would have hit the body of peasant Julián Andrés Suárez, who died instantly. In addition, three locals were reportedly injured.

Through self-justice, indigenous communities captured a soldier of the National Army and held him for two days, while state authorities approached to reach an agreement. Reinaldo Quebrada Quilcué, indigenous governor, led this action. Quilcué was one of the peasants captured during the operation in early March.

Among the crimes imposed on him by the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation is that of kidnapping exhortito. During his detention, the officer received as punishment 15 lashes on his legs. According to the defense of the indigenous governor:

The trial against Quebrada Quilcué took place on April 4. “For Reinaldo's lawyer, the soldier's surrender to the indigenous justice system was done voluntarily, he signed the record that there was no mistreatment and therefore it is distorted that there was kidnapping.”

However, for the judge, the soldier forced him because of pressure, anxiety and fear of retention and that, according to the doctor's report, he had scoring on his neck, head injuries, bruises on his legs and eyelids, plus injuries to his legs, apart from psychological trauma. During the hearing, Juan Sebastián did not turn on the camera or speak

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