CPTnet
April 23, 2004

COLOMBIA UPDATE: March 2004

The Community of the Opón

The communities of La Florida and Los Ñeques, located in the Opón River,
experienced moments of high tension during March. Guerrilla pressure on
peasants to buy them groceries grew. A "No" answer from most of the members
of the community led to guerrilla threats to kill some specific residents
and to expel others. This armed group tries to control the rural population
via pressures on community leaders, making them believe that they know all
their movements and actions, and accusing them of supporting and informing
paramilitaries in the region.

On March 21, guerrillas confiscated the motorized
canoe of a man who had come from Barrancabermeja to fish in the Cienaga del
Opon. (FARC guerrillas have prohibited non-inhabitants of this sector from
fishing there.) Days later in the same area, the Army found and defused
several antipersonnel mines planted by this group.

Threats from paramilitaries in Barrancabermeja's port area (which provides
access to the city) diminished. In the recent past they have threatened to
killed people if they determined these people were transporting foodstuffs
for the guerrillas in the community's canoe. They do continue to watch the
purchases of each person and to spread rumors
about potential incursions. On March 15, a group of twenty-five
paramilitaries of the AUC (Colombian Self-Defense Forces) passed through the
two rural communities. From one family's yard, they shot hundreds of
bullets across the river and exploded two grenades. They left after several
hours, indicating that they would return to confront members of the FARC
guerrillas. This action took place at the same time that the departure of a
paramilitary organization (AU-BCB) from the city was announced. The team
wondered whether they had headed to the rural areas.

All of this activity continues to generate high levels of stress, anxiety
and depression in the population. At times the peasants have mentioned the
possibility of fleeing again and they fear a clash between armed groups in
which they would be the main victims. Nevertheless, these two communities
want to continue living where they are now. They are now seeking
alternatives to strengthen themselves and are very tired of the conflict.
They are also tired of armed groups putting them in the middle of the
conflict without asking their permission. Because of this situation, they
ask all of the armed groups that they respect their rights as civilians and
tell all armed men that they want peace in their fields.

At present, the community is beginning to think and act as a group, with
common ideas and some clear purposes. They have mentioned that they want to
be autonomous, responsible for their future and to take the first steps as
The Community of the Opón. They have asked that CPT continue the
accompaniment because, they say, "You [CPT] cause us to feel supported
spiritually, a little more secure and empowered to think about development;
since you have been here the actions of the armed groups have diminished."

Now this community counts on the interest of the Program of Development and
Peace of the Magdalena Medio region, the support of the Baptist Church
(Jesus, Light of the World) Non-governmental organizations and the visits of
delegations. The Colombia team continues to see in these people a great
faith in God that gives confidence, strength and a space to dream of a
future when the peasants believe that "united we are able."

In the city of Barrancabermeja CPT carried out a special accompaniment to
the Popular Women's Organization (OFP) on the International day of the Woman
on March 8 (See March 25 reflection, "A prayer to remember.") The team was
attentive to the hunger strike of Sinaltrainal, a foodworker's union, that
lasted thirteen days and finished with a possible dialogue among the workers
and the representatives of the Coca Cola company. And finally the team
attended, as observers, the Popular Constituency Assembly of Micoahumado,
where the construction of a violence-free zone by the population continues.