Indigenous Communities in Colombia Wage Struggle for Basic Rights by Juancho Torres

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Indigenous Communities in Colombia Wage Struggle for Basic Rights

Copyright Juancho Torres 2024

Updated Nov 2023

Indigenous communities hailing from Risaralda and Choco area in Colombia find themselves in a challenging situation. Forced to leave their ancestral lands, they have migrated to big cities like Medellin and Bogota in search of a better life. However, their transition to urban life has been far from easy. They have been protesting against the dire living conditions they endure, marked by the scarcity of water, food spoilage, and an uncertain future with little hope of returning to their native territories.

Recently, their frustration and demand for improved living conditions came to a head in Bogota. A demonstration organized by several indigenous groups culminated in violent clashes with the police, resulting in a total of 24 injuries, 11 of which are severe. This incident served as a stark reminder of the long-standing struggle that indigenous communities face in adapting to life in Colombia's major cities and the urgent need for attention and change in their living circumstances.

Juancho Torres/ Anadolu Agency

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