Christian Peacemaker Jenny Rodriguez and I visited the community of Las Pavas last month (May 2011).  It was good to see them back on their land, where I first met them in March of 2009.  The Colombian Constitutional Court has recognized that the community's claims on these lands have merit, so the likelihood of further displacements seems remote.

 However, despite the court ruling, and despite the Ministry of the Environment's assessment that palm oil cultivation would adversely affect these lands, the palm oil company Aportes San Isidro continues to occupy these lands.  Some of its personnel, protected by police, are living about ten meters from the community's homes.  Aportes San Isidro is unlikely to cease its operations until the Colombia legal system annuls its title to the land.  Only then can the families of Las Pavas receive their registration as the legitimate title-holders.