At dawn this morning a Colombian army convoy crossed into the muncipality of Cubara, inside the traditional U’Wa territory. The convoy then requested clearance from the indigenous people (U’wa) to enter the neighboring muncipality of Saravena. The indigenous people (U’wa)
accepted this request without realizing that the armies real purpose was to deploy small commando units of anti-riot police against the peaceful demonstration held by the U’wa. Once inside demonstration the riot police violently attacked the U’wa. This situation began at 04:30am (EDT) and was temporarily suspended at 06:30am (EDT) and recommenced at 09:00am (EDT).
The U’wa community communicates that there are people injured with lesions and concusions, also children have been hospitalized and there is fear of further fatal consequences. The attack was extremely violent and undertaken completely by surprise. The anti-riot police used tear gas and hit (i.e., physically attacked) the peaceful demonstrators.
We request that the national and international community call upon the government of Colombia and other national and international human rights organizations for the immediate cessation of aggressions against the U’wa
people and the immediate withdrawl of people from the U’wa ancestral territories. We remind the national and international community that these actions are taking place after the national government of Colombia authorized drilling in U’wa territory by Occidental Petroleum.
These violent events have occurred just two days after the US Congress approved the Colombia Plan military aid package for which Occidental Petroleum has lobbied continuously.
