Saravena, Colombia – General strike in solidarity with the U’wa people against the excessive and
arbitrary use of public force, genocide, ethnocide, and ecocide promoted by the
Colombian national government and Oxy against the U’wa indigenous culture.
We have completed with dignity the second day of our general strike, where the truth, wisdom and sovereignty of our people rises above intolerance and the barbarity of tyranny; Where the true value of liberty is upheld with the neverending promise to defend our culture, our sovereignty, our home, and environment before the threat of destruction by Oxy and the government.
As we begin this third day, we confirm our mission and committment to support the U’wa people. We inform the public of the following:
1. Our 33 companions who were detained arbitrarily by the police in Cubara have been released, which shows the honesty and transparency of our leaders and legitimacy of the protests which we are developing even in the face of unjust judicial and penal threats by the military forces against our community and social leaders.
2. The mobilized community has decided to take over the Saravena-Pamplona road because of the permanent sabotage done by more than 30 equipment trucks working for Oxy. The peaceful civil strike is urged on by these social organizations and indigenous people because of the constant psychological intimidation by the National Army at the blockade site with more than six war tanks loaded with heavy artillery, as if it were a conventional war. We remember that it is our right to peacefully protest.
3. We announce to the general public that we will maintain our blockade, due to the negligence and inaction of the national government, but have decided to normalize and resume the intermunicupal commerce and transport on Saturdays and Sundays. We are doing this also as a demonstration of our good
will and as a result of the concrete actions, like the release of our 33 community members, along with the promises and gestures of good faith by the Commission of Peace, the People’s Ombudsman and the regional Attorney General. Following that period, we will reinitiate with the same intensity and discipline by which we are characterized.
It is necessary that our central government, the Ministry of the Interior and the Environment, and the Colombian Attorney General come to Cubara and listen to the U’wa people so that we may find a solution to this problem.
U’WA TERRITORY IS SACRED
CULTURES WITH PRINCIPLES DO NOT HAVE A PRICE
Social Organizations of the Arauca Province:
[signed]ADUC
CUT
FEDEJUNTAS
ASOJER
CRIA
ASOU´WAS
