Over the last four months, 196 families have occupied an area called Villa Dignidad on the outskirts of Barrancabermeja in search of better living conditions.  These families were all unemployed and had no means of paying rent.  In December 2009, police evicted them, but they returned within a few days.

Following a stand-off with police on 15 January 2010, representatives from the community, social organizations, including Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), and the municipal government met and agreed that to postpone the eviction process until the 19th – 22nd of that month in order to give people time to look for solutions that would permit a voluntary exit and provide security for the community.  On 21 January, the families and city representatives signed an agreement specifying that families would leave voluntarily, and the municipality would provide new land for them to live on.

On the following day, three members of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) witnessed most of the community dismantling their homes and preparing to leave their familiar surroundings, with no clear idea of where they were supposed to go.  Tearful men and women asked CPTers, “Tell us where we are supposed to go.  We have children, and we don’t know anyone here in Barranca.