CPTnet
May 31, 2003
COLOMBIA: "When Motors came, problems came"
by Rose Whiteside
"When the motors came, the problems came," one of the older residents told
us. Our delegation was visiting the countryside on the Opon River in the
Magdelena Medio region in Central Colombia. He was telling us a little of
the history of the region.
Our eight-member CPT delegation from the U. S. and Canada gathered around
and listened as the peasants described the area when they first arrived. It
was mostly jungle: they cleared some land, planted crops, made their nets
and fished in the river. They loved the tranquility and beauty. They cared
for one another. But then the "motors" came, bringing the armed groups with
their big boats and big guns. The whole
area became a battlefield. For several years their peaceful life became a
nightmare.
The peasants were cautious in telling their stories of the past few years.
Many of the peasants have been threatened and some are still displaced or in
hiding. Loved ones had been killed. Instead of fish, bodies were now
floating on the
river.
One morning as the CPT delegation visited with a family, they described
to us the reaction of most of the peasants when CPT's first teams
arrived in 2001. At first, there was much distrust of this group of
"gringos" as they traveled up and down the river. Were they agents of the
government, armed groups, or spies?
They talked of peace and non-violence, but the people were very suspicious.
Would they even attract more attacks from the various armed groups? Most
of the people wanted nothing to do with them. They kept their distance
from these outsiders.
Nevertheless, the young father of two beautiful daughters was
desperate--two brothers had been threatened and were in hiding. The family
had been displaced. He had threats on his life. So, he decided putting
his trust in the CPT'ers was worth the risk. He started accompanying the
group from home to home and encouraged people to trust the "gringos."
Little by little, faith and trust developed in this group who carried no
weapons but expressed their concern and desire to keep the area safe for
those who had remained on the Opon River.
This young father neglected his fields and travelled with the CPT-ers to
spread the word. He has no regrets. CPT has been present in the area for
over two years. More displaced families have returned and people feel
safer.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Members of CPT's May 17-29, 2003 Colombia delegation were Scott Diehl (S.
Burlington, VT},Claire Evans (Chicago, IL), Michael Goode, (Chicago, IL),
Dwayne Wenger Hess (Baltimore, MD), Bob Holmes (Toronto,ON), Elizabeth
Redekopp (Winnipeg,NB), Haven and Rose Whiteside (Tampa, FL.)
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