CPTnet
17 June 2006

COLOMBIA: With arms outstretched

by John M. Stoltzfus

[Note: John M. Stoltzfus participated in a recent CPT delegation to
Bogotá, Barrancabermeja, and the Opón River Communities. On 3-16
October 2006, another delegation will visit Barrancabermeja, Bogotá and
the Opón communities to have a first hand learning experience about the
fifty-year-old civil war in Colombia, the connections between U.S. policies
and this conflict, and the wide array of initiatives for peace. If you are
interested in this delegation experience, please contact Claire Evans at
delegations [at] cpt [dot] org?Subject=Re:%20COLOMBIA:%20With%20arms%20outstretched&In-Reply-To=<1150558380@mennolink> .]

With arms outstretched, a statue of Jesus stands high above the city of
Bogotá. Another statue of Jesus stands in Barrancabermeja by a petroleum
refinery-hence its name, "Petroleum Jesus." It rises out of the waters of
the Magdalena, also with arms upraised. Both statues are symbolic of our
response to what we saw and heard about the complex struggle for peace and
justice in Colombia.

With arms outstretched, Jesus weeps for a city and a country that go
searching for things that make for peace. Armed conflicts, along with
unjust political structures, have left some three million displaced in the
past twenty years. We heard from several community activists and leaders of
their forced withdrawal from the country for their own safety. We visited
communities along the Opón River that fled their farms due to armed
combat. People are displaced not only from their homes but also from places
of security where their basic needs are met.

Despite these desperate situations, the government continues to speak of
"peace" where there is little true peace. Although there has been
demobilization process, the paramilitaries still to operate in oppressive
and illegal ways. Government officials try to spin the realities of
forcible displacements as "unplanned migrations."

With arms upraised, Jesus is working among the people and communities of
Colombia to bring new hope and life. The communities of Los Ñeques and La
Florida along the Opón River have returned from their displacement and
struggle to reestablish their roots. They welcomed our presence with open
arms and expressed great thanks for CPT's accompaniment.

Our delegation met with other social organizations that spoke of their work
to defend human rights. We heard from the Popular Women's Organization,
members of whom shared how they provided a place of refuge and safety,
despite being threatened themselves, for those fleeing armed groups.

A priest in the Catholic diocese of Barrancabermeja spoke of the work that
people in the parishes are doing to bring shalom. In spite of experiencing
assassinations and living with accusations by both the right and left wings
movements of collaborating with the other side, they seek to make a space
that meets the social and spiritual needs of the people. They are providing
places where the truth can be told and reparations made.

We saw on their faces that their struggle is difficult; but we also saw
their joy as they work to be faithful to the way of Christ. We heard again
and again the importance of our solidarity and presence with them. In our
journey of peace together we reflect the way in which Christ is standing
among us with arms outstretched.