Colombia: Colombian Indigenous Community Fight to Protect Land from Paramilitary Resurgence

Feb 28, 2017 | Julián Villabona Galarza, PanAm Post
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The Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta in Colombia’s northern region is home to multiple indigenous communities living peacefully on sacred land. But the Arhuaco people there were confronted with a harsh reality February 19 when paramilitary groups confronted them with threats and violence. The indigenous community said several people who identified themselves as demobilized members of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia came onto their land with firearms, making threats and burning some of areas considered sacred by the community.