CPTnet
June 4, 2001
Barrancabermeja, Colombia: CPT in the Op�n Swamp

by Jonathan Horst

Responding to the request of rural community leaders, four members of the
CPT Colombia team attended a three hour meeting in one of of Cienega el
Op�n (Op�n Swamp) townships south of Barrancabermeja, on May 30, 2001.
Approximately 50 people of all ages attended this meeting. Even with this
attendance some leaders told CPTers that there was not adequate
representation to make a decision by consensus for the whole township.

Since the 1960's, the people of the Op�n Swamp have been driven from
their homes by various armed groups. Most villagers fled late last year to
Barrancabermeja, the industrial city where the CPTers reside. Some live in
an abandoned school. Others live in homes of relatives or friends. They
await the fulfillment of their plans for a well organized and officially
sanctioned mass return to their houses and farms. Some villagers refused to
leave their homes and others have quietly returned despite the risk of
attack by the AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia), a right-wing
paramilitary group.

The people in the meeting agreed that CPT's presence would be helpful for
reducing the present threat of violence. After recounting multiple times
they have been attacked, representatives from two villages urgently
requested accompaniment as soon as possible because they live in militarily
strategic locations.

Representatives from another village were initially hesistant to participate
in anything that may draw the attention of paramilitary forces. They later
welcomed future visits from CPTers and expressed a desire to stay involved
in processes leading to community unity.

Acknowledging the urgency of the request for accompaniment by some villages,
CPTers Scott Kerr and Ben Horst (both of Chicago, IL) traveled with
villagers by motorized canoe as they returned to the village where CPT's
presence was deemed most helpful. Kerr and Horst plan to travel down-river
to the other village after a few days. The team committed to these villages
the continuing presence of two CPTers on a rotating basis while awaiting
further input and the anticipated Return.

. Current members of CPT Colombia are Scott Kerr, Benjamin Horst, Carol
Rose (Wichita, KS), Pierre Shantz (Kitchner-Waterloo, Ontario), and Jonathan
Horst (Mount Joy, PA).