Prayers for Peacemakers 18 August 2021 Colombia

Pray that legal and illegal armed groups do not involve civilians in the dynamics of the armed conflict. 
Facebook
Twitter
Email
WhatsApp
Print
Dozens of people walk in a line down a mud road in between several houses. They are all wearing white shirts and the children in the front are carrying fabric in the colours of the Colombian flag.
The communities of the Southern Bolivar region carry out an action to call for an end to the armed conflict.

Currently, a war is being waged in the Southern Bolivar region of Colombia. This economic and territorial conflict between the National Liberation Army (ELN), the 37th Front dissident group of the FARC, the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces (AGC), and the Colombian Military’s Joint Task Force Mars has caused a humanitarian crisis for the civilian population living in the region. On 26 July 2021, Oswaldo Pérez—leader of the Mina Piojo community action board—was assassinated, unleashing a forced displacement of approximately 2000 people in the municipalities of Santa Rosa del Sur, Arenal, Morales and Montecristo. 

On 1 August, the displaced families arrived at the Municipality of Santa Rosa to call on the municipal, departmental and national administrative authorities, guerrilla and paramilitary groups, and the national army to respect life, permanence in the territory and the non-involvement of civilians in the armed conflict. The dialogue lasted several days but lacked clear solutions or sufficient guarantees for the communities. Despite this, the communities have decided to return to their lands.

We express our solidarity with communities across Colombia who are refused basic human rights and repeatedly victimized by a government who only prioritizes economic and political interests. We pray that this time will be different, and the authorities will guarantee the following demands made by the community:

  • Construction of a Humanitarian Shelter in the San Pedro Frío township, which will serve to temporarily shelter people and families who are threatened by armed actors.
  • That the state guarantee decent living conditions for the population as the most effective mechanism to defuse the conflict. 
  • That the authorities at all levels respect and not interfere in the Humanitarian Action for Life and Permanence in the territory, which will function through Pastoral and Community Dialogues. 
  • That the state respond to the region’s social challenges through other means than the increase in force and militarization of the territory. 
  • That legal and illegal armed groups do not involve civilians in the dynamics of the armed conflict. 

Read More Prayers

Israeli settlers wait at the gate to enter into Palestinian neighbourhoods on Sara's day.

Sara’s Day

CPT Palestine

Jewish holidays in Al Khalil/Hebron have become synonymous with abuse at the hands of settlers and soldiers.

an aerial view of the drill pad that is drilling under the Wedzin Kwa in Wet'suwet'en territory.

Solidarity relationships lead to victory

CPT Turtle Island Solidarity Network

Twenty years of Grass Narrows action and solidarity relationships have led to victory against logging companies. Solidarity relationships form a critical aspect of supporting the Wet’suwet’en people to keep the oil and gas industry off their land.

Women stand at a protest holding signs, looking away from the camera

A gender emergency

CPT Colombia

The alarming violence women face in Colombia has provoked lawmakers to propose a gender emergency to bring about decisive laws and actions that stop gender-based violence.

GIft Auction

Bid on or buy a gift for a fellow
peacemaker or loved one

Bid and Buy
Skip to content