Biography:
Sebastián Zuleta is a documentary photographer born in Bogota. He studied Public Communication at the University of Technology in Sydney. In 2013 he moved and worked as a writer and creative director in Mexico City where he settled. Later...
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Skills:Research, Copy Editing, Digital Printing, Adobe Premier, Photo Editing, Black & White Printing, Copywriting, Multimedia Production, Photojournalism, Video Editing, Film Photography, Visual Producer, Adobe Creative Suite
Most of the shelters on the road prioritize serving women and children, resulting in most men spending the night outside, exposed to freezing temperatures, traffic and the dangers of the road. Many improvise places to cook and sleep.
The lack of opportunities, security problems and economic frustration displaced Helbi Suarez from his native Barquisimeto, Venezuela. After several days walking, he managed to climb to the back of a truck that carries food, in order to cross the "Paramo de BerlÃn", where freezing temperatures make this point one of the most feared places among migrants on this route.
Despite complaints from several neighbors about unhealthiness, safety and noise, some people followed Martha Duque's example and decided to help, opening their own shelters. On the Berlin Moor, a small shelter opens its doors for the first time, recieving a family that after several days of walking, with strength and hope, were trapped at night in this place. The children, aged 5 and 6, kept coughing and shaking from cold. With a hot drink and some blankets they got given away on the road the family could overcome the night. The next day a truck transported them to Bucaramaga.
“Do you know how far the Páramo is?†has asked. “Is it true that people has lost their lives there?†he continued. This man was deeply worried about Berlin hightlands, the highest and coldest point between Cúcuta and Bucaramanga, where it is said people have died of hypothermia since the mass exodus began.
Venezuelan migrants wearing thermal blankets at Páramo de BerlÃn where temperatures can drop to cero degrees C. Photo by Sebastián Zuleta RÃos. 2018. ll
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Sebastián Zuleta Ríos
2024
Updated Mar 2021
Topics
Black and White, Documentary, Human Rights, Latin America, Photography, Photojournalism, Portraiture