Colombia: The police attacks the defenders of the Magdalena river

The repression as a unique response to the fair demands.

The community that belongs to the Department of Huila, has created the Permanent Assembly for the defence of the territory of the Magdalena river, of the Colombian Massif, in the Páramo of Miraflores and the communities affected by megaprojects, this has been suppressed brutally by Squadron mobile riot police (ESMAD) causing thirty injured, some seriously, who were demanding the withdrawal of the transnational corporations in their territory.

 

The Government's response to the invitation to dialogue with brutal repression, is not justified because the community, being affected by the invasion and destruction of their territories for the extraction of natural resources, has the right to demand attention to their claims and demand that this dialogue to solve the problems.
 
Companies questioned are EMGESA, the European subsidiary Endesa Enel, which built the El Quimbo hydro and that has caused the displacement of villagers being prevented from free access to the River, and also the company Hidrochina which is to dredge the Magdalena river to convert it into a waterway, which will be delivered in concession.
The Government's only response to the invitation to dialogue with an
attack to the community with gas and fire with long-range weapons, causing 30 people injured and many detained.

Meanwhile, the community is kept in Permanent Assembly demanding respect for the mandate of sovereignty that constitutionally protects them.