One of the most enriching experiences of being on a CPT team is getting to know courageous activists and being inspired by their thirst for justice. I remember spending an evening with a Colombia team partner and his family; I asked his young son what he wanted to be when he grew up. “Community leader,” he responded. The response wasn’t surprising; it was poignant. The child had been inspired to struggle for justice and knew it would serve the common good, but it also sank my heart. How much longer must the struggle go on?

For over twelve years, the riverside village of El Guayabo has resisted forced displacement through a nonviolent struggle against a well-connected landlord who wanted to usurp the village’s farmland. The village collectively resisted unauthorized evictions and warded off violent attacks. But this came at a cost. Their resistance to this local power put a target for legal persecution on the community’s leaders. Some were imprisoned, and others had to go into hiding. CPT accompanied El Guayabo throughout.

In 2022, the retaining wall that keeps the Magdalena River out of the low-lying village farmland broke —killing thousands of cattle and destroying livelihoods— creating a humanitarian crisis. Due to historical State abandonment, from the lack of healthcare and education to nonexistent roads and potable drinking water, the local government took a couple of years to repair parts of the retaining wall. Today, the illegal armed actors controlling parts of the region put our partners and civilians at risk.

The struggle for security, justice, peace, and State accountability continues. Late last year, El Guayabo filed an Acción Popular (Popular Action), a constitutional mechanism designed to protect collective rights and interests threatened or violated by public authorities or private individuals’ actions or omissions. The good news is that the labour of resistance pays off even if it takes years or is carried on by the next generation. Recently, the court took cognizance of the Acción Popular and ordered the State to take immediate precautionary measures to safeguard the village from another humanitarian crisis. While the final ruling of the Acción Popular could take years to conclude, these small victories add up. Just like working for a nonviolent and peaceful future, our process matters as much as the end.

How much longer does the baton of nonviolent community action need to be passed on? As long as it takes for peace with justice. In the meantime, our solidarity and commitment to peacemaking’s long-term and slow work is essential.