A former AUC paramilitary member will testify before a U.S. court that Alabama-based coal giant Drummond Ltd. ordered his group to kill union organizers at its mine in Colombia, the victims' defense said Monday. The member, who uses the alias "Samirio," will testify Tuesday during a hearing in a northern Colombian courtroom, according to attorney Terry Collingsworth.
Read more
It is with deep pain that we inform you of the death of comrade LUCIANO ENRIQUE ROMERO MOLINA, a leader of SINALTRANAL who was assassinated in the city of Valledupar, Cesar. Luciano was seen alive at approximately 9pm on 10 September, then on the morning of 11 September his dead body was found tied up, tortured and with 40 knife wounds. He was living under the PROTECTIVE MEASURES scheme of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission of the Organisation of American States.
Read more
In the heart of the Americas lies a human refuge embraced by three mountain ranges, lulled by lush valleys, dense jungles, and bathed by two oceans. Springs and flowing rivers convert its lands into wonders of fertility, culminating to the south in Amazonia -- all of which makes Colombia an object greatly coveted. And from that avarice begins the people's martyrdom: from the cartography of the greed of a handful.
Read more
Traspasa los Muros (Beyond the Walls), Lazos de Dignidad (Links of Dignity), The International Forum of Denmark, the International Network in Solidarity with the Political Prisoners, the National Lawyers Guild announce: We received news this afternoon a phone call from the Political Prisoner of Conscience LILIANY PATRICIA OBANDO VILLOTA, informing us that the Superior Court of the Judicial District of Bogotá--Criminal Chamber, resolved to REVOKE the order of first instance by which the 9th Circuit Specialized Judge of Bogotá had denied her liberty.
Read more
Colombia’s President, Juan Manuel Santos, announced yesterday that the country will be issuing a new mining code to boost the industry and reinforce control of illegal mining, reports local newspaper El Universal. As a first measure, Colombia’s government has defined 313 strategic mineral areas totalling 2.9Mha and located in 15 departments, said Santos.
Read more
Mining industry representatives and development NGOs respond with righteous indignation to ongoing criticisms of their CIDA-funded collaborations stating that these are "not about the money" but about "doing the right thing" for poor people in developing counties hosting Canadian mining companies (RE: "Mining and NGOs need more collaboration," and "Mining partnerships the right thing to do," Feb. 15).
Read more
federal agency created by the Conservative government to mediate complaints about Canadian mining operations abroad has spent more than $1.1 million in the past two years, but has yet to mediate anything.
Read more
Marmato is a small town nestled in the rolling green hills of Colombia’s coffee growing region. The surrounding area exudes tranquility and natural beauty with its shimmering coffee bushes, idyllic farms and singing birds. Entering the town of Marmato is like stepping back in time. Horses and donkeys carry lumber up the steep cobblestone streets. A painted scribe on one of town’s historical buildings alludes to Marmato’s long history of small-scale gold mining. The town’s rich culture and history explain why, in 1982, Marmato was declared a national heritage site.
Read more
ESMAD (riot police) in Huila, Colombia began the forced removal of the fisher-people, campesinos, miners, day laborers and others who have been blocking the diverting of the Magdalena River for the Quimbo Dam early Tuesday morning. The diverting of the river was being blocked by a peaceful occupation of the area known as Domingo Arias. The ESMAD used tear gas, pepper spray and brutal force to corral the people protecting the Yuma/Guacahayo/Magdalena River. At least six people have been injured, including Asoquimbo member Luis Carlos Trujillo who lost an eye.
Read more
“We can live without gold and silver but not without water. Not without peace and quiet.” At El Volador (near Arboleda, Nariño Department, Colombia), the people considered moving the school due to its proximity to drilling noise. The mining company Gran Colombia Gold gave gifts of school supplies and toys for the children. The notebooks read: “The calm follows the storm. The mining company is your friend.” A forum is being held at the Universidad de Nariño (Pasto) on February 28–29, 2012 to lay the table for dialogue with the departmental and national governments.
Read more