Biofuels JohnJohn PPilgerilger ‘Green imperialism’ - the debate - page 18 on war, democracy and Latin America Interview - page 21 FRONTLINE LATIN AMERICA June - August 2007 PUBLICATION OF THE COLOMBIA SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN Vol 2 No 6 Price £1.00

EDUCATION ROCKS

olombia has been rocked by protests throughout May as 280,000 teachers went on a 10 day strike to block threat- enedC cuts. They occupied 97 schools in Bogotá alone. 2,000 teachers set out on foot from the extremities of Colombia, gathering support on their way to the capital city where they led a monster 200,000 strong demonstration on 30 May. Their mass support has forced the government to negotiate with teachersʼ union FECODE. The teachers want a guarantee that the passing of a law to change how spending is transferred to the regions will not be used to camou- fl age cuts. Higher education is in even deeper turmoil. The economic viability of public universities is threatened by a new law that will make each institu- tion liable for its pension liabilities, rather than drawing pensions from a central fund. This World Bank approved ʻdecentralisationʼ policy is a central plank of Uribe governmentʼs misnamed National Development Plan, and the cuts also threaten water supplies and health services. Atlantic ‘Wanted - Paramilitary’ - Colombian protestors accuse President Alvaro Uribe with responsibility for paramilitary groups Peter Bearder University already has such a scheme and was forced to sell off its infra- structure to meet payments. Students and staff launched a campaign to defend working class access to higher education by gath- Paramilitary horror - ering in permanent assemblies at their centres of learning. But these protests have been either closed administra- tively, as by rector Moisés Wasserman at National University, or violently repressed. In the early hours of 31 May two hundred heavy duty ESMAD scandal reaches Uribe riot police ejected the occupation of Cauca University in Popayán, and surrounded the buildings with a cordon Robert Green and to quarter them alive. They came out crying and a week while they went from house to house looking of armoured vehicles. At 3am on 3 pleading that nothing should be done to them, that for people named on a prepared list. Nineteen June ESMAD dislodged students from they had a family.” campesinos were brutally murdered. In August 2006 the technical university in Boyacá, ight-wing paramilitaries trained Francisco Villalba describes opening up people “from the the Inter-American Human Rights Court (IACHR) two days later the rector cancelled the Villalba how to handle arms, make home chest to the belly to take out the tripe, the offal. The condemned the Colombian state for not protecting semester. made bombs, and to cut people up. legs, arms and head were cut off.” Other units prefer the population of El Arro, and ordered the payment The repression has spread back to Villalba details how in 1994 he was the chainsaw, but Villalbaʼs team found they get of US $1.5 million in compensation, in addition to the teachers. On 8 June police attacked Rtaken to Farm 35, in Antioquia, it had been converted snagged by clothes. So, “it was done with a machete a public apology. a union demonstration in Pereira with into a paramilitary training camp. He practised on or a knife. And the offal, we took out the intestines The man commanding the unit at El Arro was tear gas and plastic bullets, injuring victims gathered in from nearby villages, “they were by hand.” Salvatore Mancuso, now held with forty other AUC at least fi fteen protesters. Juan Carlos aged people brought in alive and tied up in lorries”. The paramilitaries prized these sessions as a ʻtest ʻparaʼ leaders in jail under the governmentʼs Justice Martinez had to be rushed to hospital The victims were held in a lock-up a few days until of courageʼ. One trainee refused to do it; commander and Peace Law. for surgery to save his left eye. Despite the paramilitaries were ready. At the start of the “Double Zero” called the man over and cut him up as The man who at the time was governor of Antioquia, these assaults, the fi ght for education training the victims were separated into groups of an example. the department in which El Arro and countless other continues. four or fi ve and then the training began - as reported Villalba estimates that 400 victims are buried in massacres were taking place, was one Alvaro Uribe Campaign contacts on page 25 in Colombiaʼs principal newspaper in El Tiempo, 23 Farm 35. Three years later, October 1997, he used Velez, since 2002 the president of Colombia and April 2007. his skills in the El Arro massacre in Ituango in architect of the self-same ʻJustice and Peaceʼ. “The instructions were to cut the arms, the head Antioquia. The paramilitaries occupied the town for continued on page 2 2 Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 FRONTLINE The truth will out – and it stinks LATIN AMERICA ormally speaking itʼs best The real scandal is that, incredibly, controlled by the Democrats and they not to get personal in poli- whatever vile acts the paramilitary are looking for opportunities to take tics, but in this case itʼs murderers and their backers admit to a pop, and they see Uribe as Bushʼs Contents unavoidable, for in presi- hadnʼt mattered too much to official favourite in South America. The dentN Alvaro Uribe is concentrated a Colombia, because everyone knew Democrats have become much more 3-5 News whole political project, one element anyway that atrocities go on, and sensitive to charges of human rights of which is to remodel the paramili- that the establishment gives them the violations in Colombia, they know 6 Our America tary death squads moving them from go ahead. Although Uribe himself that it is hopelessly compromised and their rural strongholds into the cities, has tried to orchestrate the mother cannot be defended as a model for 8 Comment and Analysis to modernise the ʻdirty warʼ in an and father of all cover ups, it is democracy. urban setting. hard to escape the collective guilt. Uribe is increasingly ridiculed in the 9 Environment The still limited admissions of Individuals are responsible, and US, yet he is still projected as a demo- the AUC death squad commanders legally it is their individual guilt that crat by politicians and the mainstream 10 Mining have scandalised international public needs to be proved, but it is manifest media in the UK and Europe. Itʼs a opinion: massacres to order, and all there has been a shared conspiracy, disgrace, and just because they care 12 Economics wings of the establishment deeply a class consciousness cruelty of the more about hugely profitable invest- implicated. Every week the news rich that has for six decades commis- ments than human rights. Itʼs up to us 13 Oil from Colombia takes a new and ever sioned the use of horrible, calculated in the solidarity campaign to change more scandalous twist, Uribe tries and systematic violence to make sure that, to bring the horrible truth home, 14-16 BP in Casanare Special every trick in the book to save himself that no matter what, the Left will be to isolate Uribe and to confront his and his entourage from going down. prevented from governing and not backers who share responsibility for 17 Free Trade The hard man is beginning to look even be allowed to exist as a viable the killings. desperate to avoid “the institutional political alternative. The deception As we go to press The Guardian has 18 Biofuels dangers of the truth”. has been to perpetrate criminal just produced an eight page supple- Of course Uribe cares, not about political violence whilst carrying ment Inside Colombia: A Changing 20 Reviews the tortured and decapitated victims; out the semblance of a representative Landscape that gives an outlook based he cares about his own, his friends in democracy. on business representatives and Uribe. 21 John Pilger the military, his politician buddies The paramilitary ʻdemobilisationʼ Such uncritical reporting underlines and the businessmen who fund him. was always going to be a risky opera- the importance of getting Frontline 22 Letters Those politicians who are charged tion, but Uribe calculated with George Latin America distributed as widely with and admit to links with the para- W. Bushʼs full support he could pull possible, to report the outlook of the 23 Get Involved militaries may still be sentenced, but it off. Bush however is already a social movements and the experiences even now Uribe is trying to rig it so lame duck president, and what was of the Colombian people. Please take they are exempt in advance of any once Uribeʼs strength has become his out a subscription, and order extra Spanish Section: prison sentence. weakness. In Washington Congress is copies.

E1 Horrores Paramilitares Para-military horrors them over to the likes of Jorge 40 to close investigation, the para-political E2 Editorial from page 1 carry out executions. ʻPara-politicaʼ scandal escalated into ʻparagateʼ, had gone para-institutional. signifying it was close enough to force E3 John Pilger illalbaʼs confession is but There was far more to come. In the resignation of the president. one in a series of admis- January Mancuso ʻconfessedʼ that The term ʻparagateʼ obviously refers E4 Casanare sions by former paramili- he was personally responsible for 55 to Watergate and the demise of Richard taries of what they have executions and 6 massacres, a total Nixon, i.e. it comes from the US, E5 Ecuador Vbeen doing for the last fifteen years, of 336 victims. Even so, Mancuso where the scandal has spread. Despite a supposed ʻcounter-insurgencyʼ war was being economical with the truth. ever more frantic trips to Washington, almost entirely directed against the Concerning military support for his hiring four lobby firms at a cost of $100 civilian population, spreading from atrocities, he only named officers who million a month, and despite hurriedly Antioquia to envelope most of the are either dead or already cited for appointing two African descendant country in terror. collusion. In other words Mancuso has ministers, Uribe has failed to persuade There are two principal modalities a major bargaining chip in his hands, the Democrat Party to back him. The – massacres, for which some preferred hinting that he will name more names Democrats are set on blocking ratifi- chainsaws, and selective assassina- if needs be to get lenient treatment. He cation of the already negotiated Free tions. Apart from deliberately sowing has already accused Vice-President Trade Agreement, and have cut 30% fear in the affected communities, the Santos of agreeing to bring the para- off US military assistance under Plan techniques of human butchery follow militaries into Bogotá, although Santos Colombia. FRONTLINE a hideous logic (you can get more strenuously denies this. Uribe is resilient and, fighting for LATIN AMERICA dismembered bodies into a given space The Attorney General handed to the political survival as his own base than whole ones; corpses thrown into Supreme Court a secret pact signed in crumbles with the threat of prison, he Colombia Solidarity Campaign the river sink if the guts are removed). Santa Fe de Ralito by the AUC leader- has played a double manoeuvre. The Editorial Board Common graves, sometimes with ship and 32 politicians, promising to first move is a surprise, the release hundreds of bodies, have been found in support the paramilitariesʼ political of up to 400 FARC guerrillas and Editor: Andy Higginbottom San Onofre in Putumayo. The horrors project. And a study reveals that the Rodrigo Granda, the man said to be the Sub editor: Francis Andrews are far from over. Since the revelations paramilitary expansion had by 2002 FARCʼs ʻforeign ministerʼ. The latter News editor: Robert Green started last year, the next generation reached 223 municipalities, from that was released at the request of French Spanish section: Lorna Ramírez of paramilitaries, the Black Eagles, base “new groups had been formed president Sarkozy, hoping thereby Correspondent Peter Bearder have started disinterring graves and that elected a third of the Congress in to secure the release of prominent Designer: Andy Dockett throwing human remains into rivers: 2002, took over more than 250 mayors French-Colombia Ingrid Betancourt, Illustratror: Garpeo/DesignBloc evidence removal. Estimates of the in 2005 and increased their parliamen- one of the hostages held by the FARC. Translations: Steven Mather total number of AUC victims vary tary representation in 2006”. This move earned Uribe praise from Printing: www.upstream.coop between 10,000 (official estimate) to The Supreme Court has respon- the G-8 leaders meeting in Rostock, E-mail: [email protected] over 31,000 (the human rights NGOs sibility to investigate and judge but it is probably not enough to enter figure). members of Congress and high state serious negotiations with the FARC, None of the above atrocities have officials. On 15 February four sena- and is in any case a smoke screen for Subscriptions caused the current crisis in Colombiaʼs tors and a congressman were detained his second move. www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk/FLA dominant class. The new factor has on orders of the Court, all from the Uribeʼs second move is to propose UK Subscription rates £6 per annum been a rising torrent of revelations governing bloc, another congressman a law that will ensure that convicted Members subscription includes membership of the Campaign. linking more and more sectors of the escaped. On 19 February 2007 Congress representatives do not go to Individuals: unwaged £7.50; waged £15 per annum establishment with paramilitary terror. Foreign Minister María Consuelo prison, a promise of impunity. Indeed Organisations: local (2 copies) £30; regional (5 copies) £60; The ʻpara-políticaʼ scandal broke Araújo, a close confidant of President an anomaly had arisen where parlia- national (10 copies) £120. on 4 September 2006 when Semana Uribe, resigned. Her brother was one mentarians accused of nexus with the Overseas subscriptions by arrangement. magazine revealed information from of the detained senators, moreover her paramilitaries could serve longer the laptop computer of another para- father and cousin were alleged to have sentences than the paramilitaries Donations military chief ʻJorge 40ʼ that he had narco-paramilitary connections. Two themselves. In a surreal turn of events As well as taking out a subscription, please make an additional donation. been systematically paying off politi- weeks later the Supreme Court issued three Congressmen have resigned Frontline LA needs funds to survive! cians across the north of the country, an order to arrest her father, a former their parliamentary privilege and are Send all payments made out to and eliminating their opponents. The Senator and Minister of Agriculture, considering whether to declare them- ʻColombia Solidarity Campaignʼ to paramilitaries have used their profits for having been Jorge 40ʼs emissary selves as AUC paramilitaries. Colombia Solidarity Campaign, from drugs to buy up vaste tracts of in the kidnapping of another politician The victims have no direct role in PO Box 8446, land along the Atlantic coast. Víctor Ochoa in January 2002. the ʻJustice and Peaceʼ process, they London N17 6NZ In November 2006 the dealings of Uribe defended his DAS chief, are threatened at its hearings, the Jorge Noguera, head of intelligence so when Noguera was arrested on plans for reparations are pathetic and service DAS appointed by Uribe, came 22 February 2007 (subsequently there is no attempt at reconciliation; out: he had drawn up hit lists of trade released) and with by now over thirty and yet, horrible and perverse as it is, unionists and academics and passed congressmen either detained or under the truth is finally coming out. June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America News 3 MAP Para-corporations

wo US multinational corpo- rations have been in the spot- light for their direct links with right wing paramilitary deathT squads. Banana corporation Chiquita admitted in March 2007 that between 1997 and 2004 it had made $1.7 million in regular payments to the AUC as, the corporation said, ʻprotec- tion moneyʼ for its workers. Chiquita Brands International (formerly United Fruit Company) paid a $25 million fine into the US courts. But the admission was being economical with the truth. An investigation by news magazine Semana reveals that the collabora- tion between Chiquitaʼs subsidiary the corporation used paramilitary Banadex and the paramilitaries was guards to intimidate the workforce. far more collusive than admitted. Drummond denies the allegation, but Banadex had on 7 November 2001 Rafael García, a former head of the bribed customs agents to turn a blind IT department at the state intelligence eye while it unloaded and stored 3,400 agency DAS currently in detention, AK47 rifles and ammunition imported has declared that he was present at from Nicaragua. These were passed on a meeting where Augusto Jiménez, to the AUC, whose then commander president of Drummond in Colombia, Carlos Castaño declared the operation handed over 200,000 dollars in cash a great success. The AUCʼs pacifica- for paramilitary leader Rodrigo Tovar tion of the banana zone Urabá had, on Pupo, alias ʻJorge 40ʼ, to carry out official figures, taken 432 victims in 62 the murders of two union leaders - a massacres. contract killing. Lawyers for mining A civil action is being taken out in union Sintramienergética are trying the District Court of Alabama against to include García as a witness to the US coal company Drummond alleging Alabama hearing.

Fumigation NOT working: official

Para-gate closes in on Uribe

Steven Mather occurred as the paramilitaries control the region keeping it secure for tran- ressure is mounting on the snational corporations. Colombian President Álvaro The Convivir were eventually Uribe. During a debate in the outlawed in 1999 after condemnation Colombian senate on 17 April, from Colombian human rights groups theP former M-19 militant and now Polo as well as Human Rights Watch and Democrático Senator Gustavo Petro Amnesty International but most of accused him and his family of having their members simply continued their strong links to the paramilitaries operations in the local paramilitary dating back to his time as Governor of group the ACCU. the Department [State] of Antioquia Petro also produced a photograph between 1995 and 1997. of Uribeʼs brother Santiago during Coca seeds According to Petro, during this time his speech. In the picture he appears paramilitaries used to meet at Uribeʼs smiling along side the infamous he US government reported tion followed another record-setting family farm Guacharacas, “From Uribe with the Colombian police cocaine trafficker Fabio Ochoa. on 4 June that the amount year of fumigation, with 425,000 acres there, at night, they would go out and work under which the paramilitaries Accusations of links to right wing of land in Colombia under sprayed, nearly 25% more than in kill people”, he said. This was done to could act with their usual impunity. paramilitaries have dogged Uribe and cultivation with coca, the 2005. Since 2000 the US-backed Plan get rid of any alternative to their ideo- Petro named several paramilitary his family for years. His father was a rawT material for cocaine, increased Colombia program has sprayed herbi- logical view, “Any means to the end, leaders as members. They were big drug trafficker with links to both the by 9% in 2006. The policy of aerial cide on some 2.1 million acres. which was to destroy the left was justi- fish: José “Chepe” Barrera, a para- Ochoa and Escobar families of the herbicide spraying of coca fields is “US and Colombian authorities fied,” said Petro, “this strategy ended military for 20 years was made a boss Medellín Cartel. Uribe himself was failing to curb coca production. On should focus resources on rural devel- up creating the monster of paramilita- of the Sietecueros Convivir by Uribe. the Mayor of Medellín the capital of the contrary, fumigation is prompting opment, alternative livelihoods, and rism that still confronts us.” Others were Salvatore Mancuso and Antioquia in 1982 when Pablo Escobar farmers to replant as quickly and in as on-the-ground destruction of illegal The alternative was really about land Julián Bolívar. Uribe has said he had controlled the city. It was said then that many locations as they can, contrib- coca plantations and end the wrong- and resources. As the paramilitary no knowledge of Barreraʼs paramilitary no politician was given a post without uting to the dispersal of coca growing headed, counter-productive focus leaders enriched themselves through credentials until 2004 and, unlike the being given the nod from Escobar. and Colombiaʼs internal armed conflict on fumigation” said the Washington drug trafficking they reinvested their rest of the country, believed Mancuso One of Uribeʼs ranches in Córdoba to new areas of the country. Office on Latin America, the NGO profits in other businesses. They also was a mere cattle rancher. neighbours that of Carlos Castaño, a The reported rise in coca cultiva- revealing the figures. cleared land for transnationals. Around Antioquia is one of three depart- leader of the AUC paramilitary group. 200,000 campesinos were forced from ments (Córdoba and Chocó being the Castaño and Uribe share the misfortune their lands and the murder rate went up other two) that take in Urabá, a region of having their fathers murdered by the world. Of the 2,475 recorded homi- 400% while Uribe was governor. This that is rich in agricultural land, notably guerrilla in the early 1980ʼs. Castaño, ILO controversy cides of trade unionists since 1986, was all done under the legal auspices bananas and cattle ranching and has oil like Escobar, approves of Uribe saying less than 1% of those responsible are of the Convivir which were armed and mineral wealth. It is also impor- publicy that he is the, “man closest to he CUT and other trade union brought to justice. It is not surprising civilian militias that, ostensibly, were tant for contraband running due to its our philosophoy”. federations have made strong that the rate of union organisation has to defend local populations and gather Caribbean coast. Whether or not a smoking gun protests to the International collapsed from 12.5% to just 4.6% of intelligence to support the army in its During Uribeʼs time as governor emerges to confirm Uribe ss the Labour Organisation workers. Between May 2006 and April fight against the Revolutionary Armed the area was a battle ground between “para-president” his reputation is (ILO)T for its decision to downgrade 2007 there have been just two officially Forces of Colombia (the guerrilla). rebels in the guerrila on the one side taking a bashing even among US Colombia from the group of countries recognised strikes. The answer to the Uribe was one of the most enthusi- and the army and paramilitaries on politicians. Although George Bush with the worst human rights viola- riddle of the ILOʼs permissive attitude astic supporters of the Convivir and the other. The relative strength of the still calls him a man of peace former tions. The ILOʼs decision taken at its is that it is a tri-partite body: employers, Antioquia had the highest number of guerrilla at this time led to a growth Vice-president Al Gore recently annual conference in Geneva is extra- governments and unions. The first two them in the country. in size and activity of the right wing declined to share a platform with ordinary given that in 2006 alone 72 of these groups do not consider the It soon became clear that the paramilitary groups as they sought Uribe citing, “deeply troubling alle- trade unionists were assassinated in situation sufficiently serious. Convivir were simply a legal frame- to defeat them. This has now largely gations”, that must be resolved. Colombia, more than the entire rest of http://www.cut.org.co/ 4 Human rights Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 News News “Why are Massacre: 2 years on Buenaventura commemorates football killings

Mario Novelli with heavily armed soldiers on every followed by a football match between they street corner, and suspected members a mix of local youth and some of the n 19 April 2007, represent- of the military intelligence filming mothers of the murdered boys – each atives of Buenaventuraʼs the march. There were fewer than 60 wearing a tee-shirt with the name social movements marched people on the march, a reflection of of one of the deceased on the back in memory of the second the fear that pervades the city. So far and the slogan “ In memory of those killing us?” anniversaryO of the massacre of 12 this year over 150 people have been youth, so that life can go on”. young people who were tortured murdered, 16 during the previous The march and the commemoration and murdered by paramilitaries weekend, and the climate of fear were powerful symbolic reminders of after accepting the offer of 200,000 is pervasive. Despite the fear, the the ongoing suffering of the people Peter Bearder Colombian pesos (approx £50) to play protesters marched alongside some of Buenaventura, Colombiaʼs biggest football, from a man who arrived in of the mothers of the slain youth port city, yet a place of rising poverty the neighbourhoods of Punto del Este, chanting slogans of resistance against and squalor. uenaventura is experiencing the Police. Militarization of the slums Santa Cruz and Palo Seco. Two days the failure of the Colombian state to Imports and exports move in and a grave humanitarian crisis. and surrounding estuaries has brings after the alleged match the disfigured protect the human rights of the citi- out, but little seems to filter through On Thursday 31 May, 800 fear, silence and impunity. Liberal bodies of the youths, aged between 15 zens of Buenaventura. to the local population. The black people took to its streets to Senator, Pieda Córdoba, promised to and 22, were found dumped in a ditch The march ended at the CAM communities of the Pacific Coast Bdemand justice and the vindication denounce, in the Senate, the crimes 5 kilometres away from Buenaventura square, located next to the local continue to suffer from widespread of the right to life, liberty and dignity of the paramilitaries and the accom- Airport, in an area continuously government offices. A black wreath discrimination and exploitation and in their territory. The following day panying crimes of the States armed patrolled by members of the Marine was wrapped around the squareʼs corruption is endemic. As one of the an even greater number packed into actors. The final speaker looked Corps. central statue and the pictures and mothersʼ poignantly noted “ my son the Assembly of the Republic for directly at the (exclusively white) The march took place in a context the names of the murdered youth died because we were poor. If we the Public Audience of Victims, an collection of senior officers sitting of the military occupation of the city, were pinned to the wreath. This was werenʼt he would still be here”. historic event for the city. La Guarda uncomfortably at the front of the audi- Indigena (Indigenous Guard) of the torium. The police are not necessarily local Nasa tribe matched the police in a force of protection , he said they are equal numbers. also a force for risk, threat and desta- The event was convened by Senator bilization . Alexander Lopez, Vice Chair of Official and institutional declara- the Commission Of Human Rights. tions on the violence in Buenaventura Alongside the throng of journalists highlight the role of narco-trafficking and national and international human and organized crime. But for local rights bodies, were a commission priest, Father Augustine this is a form from the European Union and a repre- of discrimination. “It is an excuse sentative from the US Embassy. The for subduing the people”, he said “it slogan of the day was “Why are they is a form of social control and social killing us and for what?” cleansing”. Indeed the State has failed Indeed Los Bonaverenses have to provide many alternatives for those good cause to ask this question. In who are falling into armed groups 2006, human rights groups put the or the cultivation and trafficking of number of murders in the city at cocaine. The Assembly heard how between 400 and 600. It continues to unemployment is well over 40% and be the most violent city in Colombia 49% of children do not have access to with massacres, disappearances, education. In some areas there is an torture and forced displacement average of 8 to 13 people per house. counting amongst the many violations Health is another basic provision that committed against its people. So far is severely lacking; the rate of infant in 2007 there have been 265 victims. mortality is calculated to be between As the most important portal town 10% and 50% above the national on the countries resource rich pacific average. coast, it is a key point of strategy for Far from remedying this, the Stateʼs the States programme of global trade. ʻdevelopmentʼ of the region to suit It is also the battleground both for the dictates of its macro- economic illicit armed groups, narco-traffickers strategy is deepening poverty and and powerful economic interests. misery. Draconian legislation such What is more, there is an added racial as the Ley Forestal (Forestry Law) dynamic to the extreme poverty and accelerates the exploitation of primary open violence that the overwhelm- forest and waterways. Meanwhile ingly afro-descendent population of villages along the portʼs tributary Buenaventura is suffering. rivers are stripped of collective titles The Audience gives safety in to ancestral fishing waters. Mono- numbers to the many families giving cropping such as African Palm planta- testimony to human rights abuses. tions bring forced displacement at the Many, however, are still sensitive to hands of paramilitary groups for the Samuel Morales released the possibility of reprisals. Along the benefit of transnational capital. walls are displays and photos telling of The time for the Colombian Amnesty International UK writes in November 2006, despite serious continue to be at high risk of attack the many massacres. One such display Government to fulfil its obligation to rade unionists and human doubts about the reliability of evidence by paramilitaries who previously showed the horrifically mutilated protect the people of Buenaventura rights defenders Samuel presented against them. On 28 April directly threatened them. Amnesty victims of the “Football Massacre”. from extreme poverty and illegal Morales and Raquel Castro 2007 Samuel Morales was released International is calling on the On the 19 April, 2005, 24 young armed groups is long overdue. “We were detained on 5 August after completing his sentence. He Colombian authorities to ensure his local Afro-Colombians were tricked are a peaceful and hardworking T2004 during an operation in which the will continue with his appeal against and his familyʼs safety, and that of into leaving for a fictitious football people” said one speaker. Yet their armed forces killed three other trade the conviction. To date Raquel Castro Raquel Castro. tournament. Twelve were later found geo-strategic positioning puts them union activists. remains imprisoned. For more information: in a river while the remaining twelve in the line of fire of powerful inter- After protracted trial proceedings, Whilst Samuel Moralesʼs release http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_ are still missing. A spokesman of the ests. To compound this, their socio- they were convicted of ʻrebellionʼ is welcome, he and his family will details.asp?ActionID=217 Proceso de Comunidades Negras, political status as a discriminated Naka Mandinga, gave testimony to the minority gives them little defence. In murder of his relatives and asked why this respect their plight is typical of La Rochela verdict - at last Reuters his family were being systematically other afro-descendent populations in persecuted and murdered. One mother Colombia who, along with indigenous n a ruling hailed as a landmark of 12 investigators killed by right-wing also ordered Colombia to do more to told how paramilitaries entered her peoples, bare a disproportionate share by human rights advocates, the paramilitaries in the northern hamlet guarantee the security of agents inves- house and murdered her two sons. Her of the violence in this war. One banner Colombian government has been of La Rochela. tigating illegal armed groups that still tears were reflected by the faces of perhaps best made sense of the `Ethno ordered to pay damages over a The decision, which cannot be control wide swathes of countryside. other mothers in the audience. genocide: We Afro-Bonaverenses I1989 massacre of state investigators by appealed, marks the first time the state “This decision highlights the Very few of the victims of the are marked out for our race and army-backed militias. has been found guilty of involvement inability of Colombia to get to the crimes have any hope of getting justice. pursued for our riches”. Read other The Inter-American Court of in the murder of its own agents. bottom this type of case on its own,” Corruption and state links to paramili- eye-witness reports from Colombia at Human Rights ordered more than $5 The court, which is part of the said Jose Miguel Vivanco of New tary terror mean they few have faith in http://www.bearder.com/peter/ million in damages be paid to relatives Organization of American States, York-based Human Rights Watch. June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America Human rights 5 News Peace community attacked

Peter Bearder string of threats, arrests and violations not stopped. All the forms of destruc- community: goes to his children and family.” of the physical and psychological well tion are utilized against us by paramil- - Today Monday, 14 May towards Please direct denouncements to the an José de Apartadó Peace being of community members and itaries in joint action with the police 7:00 am, Francisco Puerta (campesino following authorities demanding that Community is a humanitarian associates, carried out by groups going to exert pressure, threats and death. leader and ex-coordinator of the the Colombian Government guaran- zone whose inhabitants reject under the name of Aguilas Negras Our historic duty, in the search for humanitarian zone of La Vereda tees the right to life of the community all armed action, but they have (Black Eagles - a remobilized para- respect of civilians in armed conflict, Miramar) was murdered in front of the members and recognizes it integrity. becomeS a major target. In spite of the military group). is to give testimony to the facts so that Apartadó Bus Terminal by paramili- Dr. Álvaro Uribe Vélez - arrival of worldwide delegates in late The Community sends the humanity is able to some day to judge taries. Two paramilitaries approached Presidente de la Republica March, the community has suffered following: these terrorist acts. Again we have to him near the store in front of the E-mail: [email protected] a further assassination at the hand of “The continuous deaths, aggressions tell of a new murder in violation of Terminal where he was seated and shot Dr. Francisco Santos. - paramilitaries. The murder follows a and threats against our process have the humanitarian zone and against our him several times. They subsequently Vicepresidente de Colombia left in peace despite the police pres- E-mail: [email protected] ence that surrounded the location. Dr. Carlos Franco - - At 7:30 am today, a group of six Director del Programa de Derechos paramilitaries in civilian clothing were Humanos de Vicepresidencia Putting the spin on repression seen with long weapons in El Mangolo. E-mail: [email protected], Another four civilian paramilitaries fi[email protected] Scott Nicholson were found with short weapons in Dr. Michael Frühling - Oficina Tierra Amarillo. The Military and del Alto Comisionado de Naciones olice used percussion grenades Police were found only two minutes Unidas para los derechos humanos. and teargas to violently from this paramilitary presence. E-mail: [email protected] breakup a land recovery organ- - On 13 May at 10:40 am a trader from In the UK, also send your e- ized by the Barrancabermeja Apartadó arrived to San Josesito to buy mail to Colombian Embassy: PAssociation of Displaced Persons some pigs. He conveyed a message that [email protected] with (Asodesamuba), families that have paramilitaries in the neighborhoods of a copy to: been forced to flee from their homes in Apartadó were saying that they were [email protected] the countryside and have sought refuge going to carry out a massacre in the in the city. Peace Community. On 23 May more than 100 of fami- ...These facts show the drive of para- lies peacefully occupied a vacant city military murderer that the government lot in order to pressure the mayor, tries to hide. They give testimony to Edgard Cote, to take action to resolve a new wave of murders against the their desperate situation. Riot police leaders of the humanitarian zones and arrived at 4 a.m. next morning. The of community members. people responded by sitting down This drive of extermination against and singing the national anthem. The the community from the Government police began beating people. Three has again failed since we do not retreat people were hospitalized, including a from our peace principles, we will three-month-old girl, and the families continue firmer than ever. Alongside were forced to abandon the lot. Luis national and international solidarity Albeiro Duran was last seen alive by we are further animated to continue his family on 29 May went he left for in transparency to search for an alter- work. I accompanied the family and native and just world. The work and members of the Popular Womenʼs memory of Francisco gives us force to Organization (OFP) to search for him continue ahead, our greatest sympathy in the Arenal neighborhood on 4 June. His spouse Nely, mother Elisabeth, father Luis, and the women of the Human Rights Summary OFP went house-to-house in Arenal - showing his photo and asking for help ore than seven people are increase in the capacity of troops and in finding him. The neighborhood assassinated or disap- police units, ostensibly aimed at tack- is controlled by the right-wing para- peared out of combat ling guerrilla groups. militaries and most of the people were each day as a result of Justification for the number of civil- afraid to provide any information. socio-politicalM violence, according to a ians murdered as part of this policy Finally, one young man said that report by the Colombian Commission lies in the governmentʼs assertion Luis Albeiro had been grabbed by of Jurists * . When the people who died that insurgent groups maintain links a group of men on the evening of 29 in combat is added, the figure rises to with the civilian population, making May. Later on, six shots were fired. 14 per day. 19,875 men, women and it impossible to distinguish between People ran to see what had happened children have been added to the list of combatants and civilians. but armed men kept them away from victims of Colombiaʼs civil war in the Another worrying factor is the pres- the site where the shots had been fired. Although the Civil Defense ment between Colombia and the U.S. past five years. sure exerted on state forces for “posi- The body was then dumped into a members had found Luis Albeiroʼs The firm is headed by Mark Penn - a International media coverage of tive results” in the war on terrorism, branch of the Magdalena River that body, they hadnʼt bothered to retrieve former Bill Clinton pollster who is a Colombia during this period has likely a prerequisite for receiving US runs alongside the neighborhood. it. We traveled with his family down top advisor to Hillary Clinton. The largely focused on the alleged success aid. These figures show that US aid to Wilson, a reporter with Caracol the Magdalena River to Boca de government also hired the Glover Park of President Uribeʼs security crack- Colombia funds a regime whose murder television, took out his radio and Sogamoso - the area where Civil Group which includes Joe Lockhart down. It is only since last yearʼs uncov- count is at least three times more than called Civil Defense (search and Defense reported finding the body. - a former Clinton White House ering of links between illegal para- the supposed terrorist target. rescue). He held out the radio so that The boat wasnʼt able to enter the spokesman. Wal-Mart, Citigroup, military units and the Government Arbitrary detentions have risen Luis could hear the conversation. shallow channel there and we turned and Caterpillar have joined this effort that cracks have begun to show in the massively, with 6,912 recorded between Members of the Civil Defense had back as it started to get dark. in their role as co-chairs of the Latin stateʼs façade. 2002-2006, compared to 2,869 for the found two bodies that day alongside Gloria returned to that area with three American Trade Coalition. Indeed, while the number of deaths six years prior. Over one million people the Magdalena River. Civil Defense members the following Bill Clinton pushed through congress out of combat has fallen slightly were displaced in this period. Luis described what his son was morning and they brought the body a massive increase in U.S. military aid compared to the period 1996 – 2002, The Office of the UN High wearing when he left the house and back for burial in Barrancabermeja. for Colombia in 2000. The paramili- overall figures remain the same. The Commissioner notes that the most that he had a heart tattoo on his right She said it appeared that Luis Albeiro taries, with support from the police and report states that 75% of the 6,227 trustworthy figures are not from shoulder. The Civil Defense responded had been tortured. military, took over Barrancabermeja recorded deaths in combat where the government sources, which do not that one of the bodies had a similar Gloria also said that alias “Cenizo” just a few months later. author is known are attributed to the “include extra-judicial executions or tattoo. was implicated in the killing. Heʼs the Last night (8 June) in New York State, either directly or via paramili- arbitrary detentions”, but from inde- “Itʼs him! Itʼs him!” cried out Luis. hired killer that works with the para- City, Clinton was presented with tary groups. Since 9/11, US military pendent NGOs. The government has Gloria (a leader of the OFP) held militaries in Arenal. “Everyone knows the “Colombia is Passion” award by aid to Colombia has increased in an stated that it does not reveal security Elizabeth as sobbing wracked her about Cenizo except, apparently, the Colombian president Alvaro Uribe. effort to tackle insurgency as part of information to the public before being body. Nely ran a few steps and another police” she said. Clinton described Colombia as “the the ʻwar on terrorʼ. heavily “scrutinised”. member of the OFP put an arm around The Colombian government oldest democracy in Latin America.” Extra-judicial executions leapt from * Colombia 2002 - 2006: Situation her. “The children will never see him recently hired the public relations The people here in Barrancabermeja 118 per year between 1996–2002 to Regarding Human Rights and again!” she cried for Sharia (their six- firm of Burson-Marsteller to lobby that are suffering from paramili- 227 per year between 2002–2006. This Humanitarian Law at www.icj.org/ year-old daughter) and Jordan (eight- congress for continued military aid tary violence have yet to enjoy that relates to Uribeʼs “democratic secu- IMG/CCJ_Ingles.pdf year-old son). and to approve the “free trade” agree- “democracy.” rity” policy, which has seen a massive Francis Andrews 6 Our America Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 News In brief In brief Changing Venezuelaʼs Airwaves Guarani land exploited Bolivia Disputes The Venezuelan government has Multinational Tribunal refused to renew the licence of an Jane Cotter opposition television station that n 29 April 2007, Bolivia, helped instigate a coup against onica Vargas of Venezuela and Nicaragua President Chavez in 2002. Debtwatch spoke to the announced their deci- Radio Caracas TV (RCTV), conference organised in sion to withdraw from the Venezuelaʼs oldest television network, London by the Bolivia InternationalO Centre for the Settlement had its licence revoked at midnight on SolidarityM Campaign on 31 March of Investment Disputes (ICSID) “in 27 May. Subsequent rallies across the about the natural resources of Bolivia: order to guarantee the sovereign right country, both in support and against the who controls, manages, enjoys – or of countries to regulate foreign invest- move, further revealed the deep divi- destroys - them. ment on their national territories.” sions in Venezuelan society. ʻCorridors of developmentʼ have Bolivia suffered from the injus- Criticism from the US and other foes been designed under IIRSA (Iniciativa tice of ICSID when US multinational of the Chavez-led government focused de Integracion de las Infraestructuras Bechtel sued for between US $25 on the alleged undermining of freedom Regionales Sudamericanas) to criss- and $100 million after it was thrown of expression in Venezuela. Chavez cross Latin America connecting centres out during the Cochabamba Water said the comments were “laughable” of production, industrial or agricultural, War. Bechtel sued under a Bilateral and pointed to the role played by RCTV regardless of which governments are in Investment Treaty (BIT) between in the 2002 plot to oust him from office, power. They carry highways, fibre- Bolivia and Holland by the mere fact when the channel repeatedly aired calls optic cables and oil and gas pipelines. of having a postal address in Holland. for his dismissal. These routes, dreamed up more Only a huge international activist A member of the National Association than 100 years ago in the USA, are campaign forced Bechtel to back of Free and Alternative Community completely unrelated to local peopleʼs down. Media (ANMCLA), which represents needs. There is no relation between In early 2005, Quiborax, a national hundreds of community media outlets, the places of extraction and consump- mining company initiated legal argues that RCTV is a remnant of the tion: wood is the source of energy in actions under ICSID. The company economic oligarchy that has ruled all countries in Latin America, except was illegally given mining rights to a Venezuela for five centuries. Venezuela. But open-cast mining and protected area in the south of Bolivia, “Freedom of expression is the hydrocarbon extraction for export will Uyuni. Under mass mobilisation, the expression of freedom, not the voice affect the biodiversity of any area, concession was cancelled. Even though of privilege.” and hydrocarbons are one of the most the company is national, the company The gap left by RCTV has been filled ecologically destructive industries in Guarani mother and child Surival International got its Chilean shareholders to initiate by state-run TVES, reported to be more the world. The map of REPSOL, BP legal action against Bolivia. of an administrative channel acting as a and Occidental oil and gas concessions believe that souls return to meet in invited to think how people would feel ETI Telecom, an Italian multina- medium for independent production to in Bolivia coincide with the recognised this area (Itika Guasu). They do not if excrement were left behind by Latin tional notified ICSID on 30 April 2007 reach the airwaves. indigenous and protected territories. touch anything in the area, including a Americans when they had visited a that it was undertaking negotiations Francis Andrews The 96,000 Guarani people – who also cactus. European church...... with the Bolivian Government over live in Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay - The Guarani land is the wealthiest Previous experience of how its decision to nationalise the former are the third largest language group in area of Bolivia, in terms of its gold, Canadian and US companies polluted State telecommunications company. Nationalisations in Venezuela Bolivia. Thousands are forced to work uranium, oil and rich biodiversity. lands around the River Tijuani has led ICSID is an unbalanced arbitration Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael on plantations in the rich Chaco region REPSOL operatives unfortunately to Guarani resistance to a recurrence tribunal where only multinationals Ramírez celebrated on 30 April after in conditions resembling slavery, or the destroyed the vegetation of the area of children born with no eyes or ears in challenge States. Of 232 arbitra- securing sovereign control over the Middle Ages in Europe. of exploitation, then left behind their their region. tion cases, 230 have been brought by remainder of the countryʼs reserves in Guarani land is sacred, and every- latrines, which were pictured at the Bolivia Solidarity Cmpaign: transanational corporations (TNCs) the Orinoco Belt. thing that grows on it. The people London conference. The audience was http://www.boliviasc.org.uk/ against States. Multinationals seek These were given to transnational damages of millions of dollars as they corporations by the old regime under claim not only for investments but loss the policy of Apertura (Opening) in Venezuela withdraws from IMF and World Bank of future profits. 36% of cases have 1992. ruled in favour of TNCs, 34% have led The state oil company PdVSA will to out of court settlements in favour of have at least a 60% share in any joint Steven Mather On many occasions a stateʼs forces 2006 Venezuelaʼs growth was 10.2 per multinationals and 30% have become venture contract it enters into with any have been used to slap down any cent but the IMF had predicted only paralysed for various reasons. In the foreign or domestic corporation. enezuelans have been on resistance. 3.8 percent. This has led Venezuelan few cases that States have won, they The reserves in the Orinoco Belt are the sharp end of IMF and This is what occurred in Venezuela Minister of Finance Rodrigo Cabezas have not been compensated by TNCs. heavy and extra heavy crude which World Bank structural in 1989 when the Perez govern- to publicly describe the IMF as being Nick Buxton means they need costly refinement adjustment programmes so ment followed IMF orders to reduce little more than a political tool of the processes and the foreign companies theirV governmentʼs decision to with- domestic fuel subsidies. The Caracazo US government. have the expertise. draw from both institutions is symboli- – a grassroots rebellion against the Despite the symbolism, the Costa Rica in CAFTA Fight Hugo Chávez the Venezuelan presi- cally very important. cuts - was brutally crushed and thou- economic circumstances in Venezuela dent was characteristically forth- Since the early 1980s the IMF and sands were murdered by the state. today are very different from the days The popular movement in Costa Rica right in his assessment of the move, World Bank have been the main tools But while the resistance was tempo- of the Caracazo and this tempers the is still fighting to block acceptance of “Imperialism dominated our basic by which transnational capital and rarily repressed the loss of confidence impact of the decision to withdraw CAFTA-DR, the free trade deal with the industry, our energy resources and our its allies in the US government have in the old regime proved terminal. from the IMF and World Bank. The US. The Central America Free Trade natural resources for a long time. That imposed neo-liberal policies on the Only three years later Hugo Chávez high international oil price means that Agreement has already been ratified is over today”, he said, “Today is the economies of the South. led the failed coup against the IV Venezuela is unlikely to need a loan in by El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, end of that time when all our natural The debt crises in Latin America Republic and only five years later he the foreseeable future. Nicaraguawww and the Dominican Republic resources always ended up in the hands and Africa in the 1980s gave them the was elected president. The boldest stand against the IMF as well as the US, but in the face of a of anyone but the Venezuelan people.” opportunity as affected governments Chavez paid off the IMF early in his in Latin America came in 2005. 200,000 strong protest march on 26 A week after the announcements on wanted loans to stabilise their econo- first period of office so its interven- Argentinaʼs economy had collapsed in February and the threat of a general the oil industry, on 8 April, the workers mies. The US government has the tion into Venezuelan politics seemed 2001 after following IMF policies. The strike, Costa Rican president Oscar of SIDOR steel protested outside the controlling vote on both institutionsʼ unlikely. But when he was overthrown result was devastating economic hard- Arias was unable to push Congress into plant in Puerto Ordaz to demand the boards so it could decide the condi- the IMF offered help to the dictatorship. ship for most of its people. Four years approval. same. tions under which countries received As the regime was dissolving the demo- later Nestor Kirchner, Argentinaʼs CAFTA will reduce tariffs on US Chávez had threatened the those loans. The conditions became cratically elected National Assembly president, told the IMF they would exports, and open up Costa Ricaʼs Argentinian owners with nationalisa- known as the infamous structural the IMF announced that it was, “ready only pay back 30% of what they owed telecommunications and insurance tion but in the end the government has adjustment. to assist the administration in whatever to both the IMF and private lenders. sectors to takeover by the multina- forged an agreement over the heads Structural adjustment requires cuts manner they find suitable”. If they didnʼt like it they would get tionals. All of this means slashing jobs of the unions by agreeing to allow the in public spending and large scale Chavez was restored to power nothing. The IMF quietly accepted. and increasing poverty in the name of plant to remain in private hands. privatisation of industry with produc- after only three days but since then In line with the left ward shift in economic competitiveness. Despite the fact that the company has tion dedicated to export industries. his government claims the IMF has Latin America other countries are Rather than accept the popular will, reneged on various agreements with the This effectively creates a new arena continuously tried to undermine the speaking out too. Ecuadorian presi- the government has come up with a steel workers in the past, Chávez has from which transnational capital can economy by discouraging investment. dent Rafael Correa has talked of new tactic and set up a referendum for accepted assurances from the owners profit. That profit swells the stock The IMF releases annual figures kicking out the World Bank while the 23 September; set up to play into the that the company will give priority to markets of New York and London predicting growth for the coming year Sandanista president Daniel Ortega in hands of the business community using the domestic economy over interna- rather than the country where the and these are widely used by compa- Nicaragua talks of negotiating a way its finance, media access and party tional markets. wealth is generated. nies to make investment decisions. out of the IMF. political machines to propagandise for Chávez said recently that he believed The elites running the countries High predicted growth means more The IMF and World Bank still have a ʻyesʼ vote. the trade unions should not be autono- of the South may not always have confidence in the economy means many countries trapped in suffocating Nonetheless the awakening of mass mous and should be incorporated into supported the policies but since, more investment. levels of debt across the world but, in mobilization in a country previously his plans for a single socialist party. unlike the rest of the population, they In 2005, the IMF predicted a 1.1 parts of Latin America at least, their known as the Switzerland of Central Watch this space. havenʼt had to suffer the consequences per cent growth rate for Venezuela influence along with US interests more America may yet defeat the US Steven Mather they have implemented them anyway. while they achieved 10.3 percent. In generally seem to declining. project. June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America Our America 7 Towards the integration of the Peoples

ver seven hundred dele- without us knowing the results. We The political parties, even those who gates from 33 countries want a new Water Law because our say they are on the left, want these came together for the sixth water belongs to the people and the to be accepted. We are part of the “Hemispheric Gathering Nicaraguan nation, and so we call on Continental Social Alliance. We have Ofor the Struggle Against Free Trade the people to defend this right and to work together to find ways of resist- Agreements and the Integration of the demand of our deputies in the National ance to the neo-liberal model itself. Peoples” held in Havana, Cuba from 3 Assembly to put aside their interests - 5 May. Osvaldo Martínez opened by as landholders and associates of the recalling how in 2001 there had been transnationals and to defend national LA and Caribbean Solidarity a conference to coordinate efforts interests. David Abdullah, Trinidad and Tobago to defeat the US grand plan for the An even worse case is electricity. Oilfields Workers Trade Union Americas in the 21st century – the Free Many of our villages still donʼt have Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA, supply, the national network was Britain was the main investor in my otherwise known by its Spanish and privatised and handed over to the country in the colonial period; then Portuguese acronym ALCA). Spanish transnational Union Fenosa. from the 1950s to the 1970s US corpo- The social movements and progres- The prices Fenosa wanted to supply rations dominated, but now we are sive governments of Latin America are street lighting to local authorities were seeing a shift back to Europe with BP, rightly proud that their mobilisations too high, so many didnʼt sign them. British Gas and Repsol from Spain have defeated this imperial project but, A survey found that 17% of its street being the major corporations taking as Martínez pointed out, “US strategy to lights arenʼt working. The corpora- our natural resources. BPʼs liquefied dominate Latin America takes on other tion charges municipalities 1% of their natural gas plant generates 25% of its forms and faces, forcing us to continue taxes even when it is not supplying global profits. Another UK corpora- the struggle...we have won a battle but them! Nicaragua has been left in the tion, BHP Billiton, has taken another we have not yet won the war”. “You want our money? - When you give us light!” dark because of the irresponsibility gas field. Speaking on behalf of the Cuban of this corporation. It doesnʼt carry The whole hemisphere was united in Organizing Committee, Martínez message to fellow Latin Americans: ipated with friends from several out education programmes as to the a common struggle against the FTAA, analysed the changed situation as “We, Cubans, march united next to you European countries as part of the dangers of electricity, and last year it but now we have different challenges characterised by bilateral or multi- for life, beauty and justice, offering Enlazando Alternativas network (for started making cuts without warning that we have to understand to build a lateral free trade agreements, smaller you, with the modesty the struggle has analysis see page 17). to poor areas. common platform of struggle between versions of the FTAA, “be they with taught us, the experience we have accu- In December 2006 Fenosa started Latin America and the Caribbean. The the United States or Europe, these mulated during 47 years of holding Nicaragua demands Social Justice a case with the World Bankʼs European Union is using two methods, agreements are the same in essence... our ground and constructing a better Dolores Jarquin, Coordinator International Centre for the Settlement Articles of Association with Latin neo-liberalism is consecrated as an world, a world in which there is always “Another World is Possible” move- of Investment Disputes (ICSID) American countries and what it calls economic policy and converted into a room for improvement, the world of a ment, Nicaragua claiming back $54 million from our Economic Partnership Agreements legal obligation of States and the circle socialism born, not of imitation, but of government. In his election campaign (EPA) with former colonies in the of domination is closed.” heroic creation”. In 1990 in Nicaragua there were new last year Daniel Ortega promised to Caribbean, which are particularly The gathering brought together The main issues at the conference laws to restructure the constitution with make Fenosa fulfil its responsibilities, small and vulnerable economies. They a plurality of views, but within were the ongoing struggles against protections for the rights of the people that means they must pay the people amount to the same thing, locking us that Martínez paid homage to the free trade agreements; energy and and to defend our national sovereignty. back $14 million compensation for bad in to neo-liberal rules of the game. ideas of Bolívarʼs teacher Simón responses to Bushʼs ethanol offensive; In the last 4 years the laws have been service. And we call on the govern- But Europe in particular tries to play Rodrríguez, and José Martí in indigenous movements and pluricul- changed to open everything up to the ment of José Luis Zapatero in Spain to one off against the other. They will try emphasising “a better world must be turalism; multinational corporations market and the transnationals. stop making demands on behalf of the and use prospect of deals with Latin built on the basis of our own ideas, and the social movementʼs approach to We discovered recently that the US corporation. American to force us in the Caribbean because we cannot build such a world integration, specifically the Bolivarian is sending technicians down to carry We in the social movements of to accept worse terms. We appeal to imitating the US or Europe”. Alternative for the Americas ALBA. out surveys on our aquifers, and they Central America have a challenge the solidarity of Latin America to help He concluded with a rousing Colombia Solidarity partic- pass on the data to the multinationals to stop the free trade agreements. us reject these EPAs. Mine clashes in Peru Robert Green

early all of the Peruʼs gold, With Special Reference to The Rio Carrasco (see http://www.indymedia. copper, zinc and silver Blanco Project, Piura focuses on be/en/node/8365). A Chinese consor- mines are foreign owned, communities confronting Minera tium Zijin has taken over Monterico and minerals constitute Majaz, a wholly owned subsidiary for £94.6 million. This has not stopped N62% of the countryʼs exports. The of the British company Monterrico community opposition and a solidarity mines are huge open cast pits using up Metals (for background see Frontline protest in London on 2 April. water supplies and causing contami- Latin America No 3). The report President Alan Garcia-Perez came nation. (available at www.perusupportgroup. to Piura to promote the mining On 12 April clashes in the Áncash org.uk ) warns that the mineʼs devel- projects. In April he sent a military region of Peru left two miners dead, opment would be a serious risk to contingent into the border area with six wounded and 37 detained. Miners the ecosystem and the subterranean Ecuador, as a way of intimidating the union federation FNTMMS called waters in Huancabamba and Ayabaca deep rooted resistance. a strike on 30 April. The federation provinces. At midnight 2 May farmers blocked organises just 22,000 out of 110,000 In 2001 residents in nearby major roads to demand the immediate miners, because 75,000 miners work Tambogrande culminated years of suspension of all mining projects in as contractors without employment campaigning with a local referendum and the declaration of a no-mining rights. The government said the strike that overwhelmingly rejected the “red zone” in the Piuran Cordillera. was a total defeat, but FNTMMS opening of a mine. Critics of the Rio Two days later the main road between reported a third of all miners joined Blanco mine are similarly organ- Sullana and Tumbes closed and there the action which secured negotiations izing civic resistance, but they face was a fierce battle between police after 5 days. assassination attempts, the latest was and demonstrators in which hundreds Mining and Development in Peru, directed against Nicanor Alvarado were hurt. 8 Comment & Analysis Frontline Latin America June-August 2007

COKE BOYCOTT NEWS

Francis Andrews Middlesex and SOAS in spearheading the campaign. tudents at Trinity College Smith College in Massachusetts Dublin have voted for the has severed ties with Coca-Cola in third time to boycott Coke. reaction to human rights abuses in Ecuador Coca Cola products have not Colombia, Turkey and India. College Correa turns onto a new path beenS sold in student union shops since President Carol T. Christ said: “Smith 2004. The vote - for 2,029 students; will preclude Coca-Cola from the list against 1,199 – was the biggest margin of approved bidders when we enter of victory since the boycott began. the contract renewal process later this Lorna Ramírez The campaign to ban Coca-Cola summer. in British universities has achieved “As a private college with a public another success with the recent move conscience, Smith College takes issues by University of Manchester student of human rights and environmental union to eject the company from its sustainability very seriously.” campus. Manchester University is Other US universities to ban the one of Britainʼs largest and the deci- product include Simons Rock College sion, approved by 400 votes to 20, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts mean its 36,000 students will join and Aquinas College in Grand Oxford, Edinburgh, Bristol, Bradford, Rapids, Michigan.

Rafael Correa during his election campaign he election of Rafael Correa the Ecuadorian people”, as affirmed to operate from Manta base. Since as president of Ecuador by CONAIE, the Confederation of the base was installed the local and has revived the trust of Indigenous Nationalities. national community has demonstrated Ecuadorians who believe in On 14 April Correa proposed to against it, denounced clauses in the theT sovereignty of their country and the stop the ITT (Ishpingo, Tambacocha, agreement that grant the base immu- diginity of their people. The president Tiputini) oil exploitation project on nity, permitting impunity when US has announced the nationalisation of Yasuni indigenous territory and a violates human rights as in cases of resources, questioned indiscriminate biosphere reserve. The proposal is to sinking fishing boats, displacement oil exploitation and to reduce the put social, cultural and environmental of campesinos, prostitution, violence monopoly control of big business. concerns above economic capital, but and sexual harassment of women and Coca-Cola exploits unpaid child workers He has at the same time established at the same time it requires compen- girls, persecution of local inhabitants, an independent international policy sation from the international commu- contamination of water sources and union in Bucaramanga, Villaviciencio concerning the US military presence nity for contributing to the control of the soil, and the presence of shooting and Bogotá. Manager Gabriel Gomez in the country and Colombiaʼs anti- climate change. So, Correa has initiated ranges in populated areas, constituting Coca Cola... arrived at the entry gate and ordered drug fumigations in the frontier zone. a campaign in the European Union to a high risk for people in the zone. ... threatens a Mexican town his supervisors to use force to break But thereʼs a long way between receive economic support: “they must Correa has shown he rejects A study carried out by the Water the protest, running his car right up projecting a country which is more compensate for what has value and not Colombiaʼs intervention in Ecuador, Commission of the town Apizaco in to William Mendoza who nonetheless equal and sovereign, and achieving for what has a price”, he said. whether that is in military or anti- Capama, Mexico has revealed that the refused to move, despite insults. the reality. For Correa it is clearly The Energy Sovereignty Plan is also drug operations. In spite of many local Coca-Cola Femsa plant uses 4.8 necessary to restructure the political being prepared: it seeks to regulate the requests to stop fumigating coca crops million litres of water a day, generating ...contaminates marshland system, legislation protecting national supply and marketing of fuels in order in the frontier zone with glyphosate daily profits in the order of 3.5 million According to a report by the District resources and the lines of operation of to counteract contraband and corrup- Colombiaʼs president Alvaro Uribe pesos. Auditor, of the 50 thousand hectares foreign corporations. tion caused by illegal trafficking of had refused to suspend them or recog- “The profits that Femsa makes from of water meadows that existed around In this light, the first big project oil. An Anti-monopoly Law is under nise their noxious effects for people exploitation of the San Luis Apizaquito Bogotá fifty years ago, only 660 is to elaborate a new constitution. consideration, which will protect in the and the environment. But on 22 May, aquifer are in the millions and do not hectares remain. Of these, the most The proposal to convene a National national interest resources in energy, a report by the UNʼs rapporteur for come to the municipality, we only contaminated is Capellanía, in the Assembly with full powers to change telecoms and construction, amongst health concluded that “fumigation with receive 10 thousand pesos a year for its Fontibón district, where Panamco the constitution was accepted in a refer- others, traditionally cornered by foreign glyphosate on the frontier is affecting licence to function”, complains Reyes S.A (Coca Cola), discharges untreated endum by 78% of voters. The actions capital. Insofar as profits from these the physical health of inhabitants of Ruiz Peña, a councillor in the town. industrial waste water. of the opposition that sought to dele- promising sectors belong to the state, Ecuador and their mental healthy”, and The diversion of water to Cokeʼs On 27 May a new campaign has gitimise this democratic proposal were and not to a private corporation from at last the Colombian government sees operations, and to the plant of fellow started by citizens and community unsuccessful, demonstrating that the another country, they will bring more itself obliged to stop the fumigations. multinational Procter and Gamble, leaders to protect these community president has the base of Ecuadorian benefits to the Ecuadorian people. The Besides these decisions on internal threatens drinking water supplies for lands. democracy with him. new president stated on 26 May that the legislation and external policy, the big half a million people in coming years. We in SINALTRAINAL demand Correa explained how a National country lost US $1 million last year challenge of the current government Source: ABC Noticias that Coca Cola ceases its environ- Assembly was seeking “a new consti- because of bad negotiations with mobile is to achieve national sovereignty in a mental damage, and that it makes tution that reforms political institu- phone corporations: “The party ends manner that respects the sovereignty ... abuses Colombian workers reparations for the damage and helps tions ...so that there is governability here, everybody will pay taxes, will and autonomy of the communities, In March 17 workers at the restore the ecosystem. and accountability, a true democracy respect the environment, the workers those who at the end of the day consti- Villavicencio bottling plant decided and a more just and participatory and the laws of the country. Giveaway tute the nation: indigenous people, to join our union, SINALTRAINAL, ..and exploits children economic system”. He made clear that government has ended, this upsets some campesinas, afro-Ecuadorians, but the managers threatened them with Through its sub-contractors, Coca Cola he is not trying to assign himself abso- and they are the ones who will try and miners... the sack. We demanded legal protec- uses children to distribute its products lute power. destabilise us”. It has to be seen, for example, tion for these subcontracted workers in Colombia (see photo). For the social movements and organ- It is also clear that the new govern- what actions the government will to unionise, but they and others were The children are not paid. This isations that supported the referendum, mentʼs international policy stems take in the face of the strike called indeed sacked. conduct is against all international the new constitution will help found a from a firm determination to defend by the mining communities in Azuy Then, at 6.00am on 23 April 2007, human rights conventions, we as a pluri-ethnic state, “with full economic, the countryʼs sovereignty. In March Province, starting 5 June. The artisan SINALTRAINAL unionised workers union condemn it. territorial and political sovereignty Correa ratified the decision not to miners reject the exploitation of their in the Barrancabermeja plant were that guarantees the nationalisation of renew in 2009 an agreement made territories by the Canadian corpora- protesting against the sacking of sub- Javier Correa natural and energy resources, orienting with the United States ten years tion IAMGOLD and are struggling to contracted workers who had joined the President of Sinaltrainal them to the development needs of ago that allows their armed forces defend water. June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America Biodiversity 9 Environment On the trail of destruction: The Permanent People’s Tribunal Tahirih Alia

he lush, humid forest of the conditions of the Afro-Colombian Darien jungle provided the communities that live in the logging setting for the latest hearing areas; benefiting from the forced of the Permanent Peopleʼs displacement of more than 2,500 Afro- TribunalT (TPP) Session on Biodiversity, Colombians and mestizos and a third of Fumigations and Militarization in the regionʼs indigenous peoples. Colombia. Situated alongside the Urapalma S.A. is charged with Atratro river, between the western acting jointly with other palm enter- slopes of the Andes and the Caribbean prises and the Colombian State in ille- Sea lies the small river community of gally planting from between 4,000 to Nueva Esperanza in the Cacarica river 7,000 hectares of palm (and projected basin. Like so many places in Colombia, to comprise 22,000 hectares) within however, the captivating beauty of this the collective territories of Afro- place belies a dark and violent history. Colombian communities. The Cacarica community settlement US corporation Monsanto is charged was established as a humanitarian zone with supplying the component Round- after the return of some inhabitants Up Ultra for the aerial spraying eradi- who were forcibly displaced during cation program using glyphosate on ʻOperation Genesisʼ, the military and crops used for illicit purposes (which paramilitary campaign of terror waged has been applied since 1984 and has in the region in 1997. become the principal Plan Colombia The hearing took place on 26 and strategy implemented jointly by the 27 February 2007 and was attended Colombian State and the USA). by nearly three hundred people from US transnational DynCorp is different regions of Colombia where charged with creating war and political multinational corporations have instability, profiting from the encour- caused serious harm to the environ- agement of conflicts, and making them ment and enjoy the support of para- functional to the rendering of their serv- military groups in the pursuit of their ices; benefiting from mercenaryism, objectives. Additionally, delegates which encourages the deterioration of came from supportive organizations the living conditions of the population from 17 countries in Europe and North subjected to this militarization, the and South America. Many witnesses loss of thousands of lives, as well as travelled for miles (some walked for the delicate social fabric pertaining to more than ten days straight) to tell their these persons; and destroying natural stories of violence and terror waged resources. upon their families and communities In a final act of commemoration, the in order to pave the way for multina- Tribunal concluded with the reburial tional corporate investment and the of the remains of community member extraction of resources. Marino Lopez. He was murdered by The sessions were organized around army and paramilitary soldiers, who distinct conceptual frameworks. called residents out into the community There were contextual exhibitions on field, and proceeded to play a game of biodiversity and biopiracy, palms and football with Lopezʼs decapitated head. biofuels, environmental and agrarian Songs, ceremony and an abundance policy, and genetically modified organ- of illuminated candles provided the isms (GMOs) in Colombia. Charges reverent atmosphere surrounding the were presented against several national burial, which marked ten years exactly and multinational corporations. Each of the young manʼs gruesome murder. charge included testimonies by persons The Tribunal collected the docu- who suffered directly from the effects mentary and testimonial evidence for of these activities as well as documen- the presentation in the final hearing of tary evidence presented by the pros- the TPP session on Colombia, which ecuting counsel and witnesses. will take place in July 2008. Irish/Dutch owned Smurfit Kapa– “Our continent is a territory of Cartón de Colombia is charged immense biodiversity and unimagi- with destroying tropical rainforests, nable potential in relation to the plan- Andean forests, and other ecosystems; etʼs natural reserves. As such, it is destroying social fabric and traditional highly attractive to a neoliberal global and cultural means of production in system dedicated to the commerciali- communities; depleting and contami- zation of natural resources everywhere. nating water sources; influencing the Its voracity spares nothing and knows formulation of governmental policies no limits when it comes to extracting in the country and pressuring public species or modifying ecological A tribunal judge (top) listens to witness servants to favour the interests of systems that have evolved for thou- testimonies at the Peoples Permanent multinationals. sands of years, with the sole purpose Tribunal session on biodiversity, Multifruits S.A. - subsidiary of the of enlarging profit margins of huge fumigations and militarization in Colombia (above and right) US transnational Del Monte - is charged corporations. with the practice of illegal plantain agro- “Countries rich in biodiversity such business planned on 22,000 hectares of as Colombia suffer the over-exploita- land. Control is maintained in this area tion and aggressive commodification through the pressure employed by the of their natural resources; the devasta- Águilas Negras (Black Eagles) despite tion of their biodiversity in favour of having announced their demobilization large-scale monoculture production; in 2005. environmental crises engendered by Pizano S.A. and its subsidiary, irrational production activity and Maderas Del Darién, are charged with the permanent subordination of their the destructive mechanized extraction internal development strategies and of wood resources in Cacarica; having respect for the fundamental rights caused profound damage to the terri- of their citizens, to the geo-strategic tory, forest resources, and the living interests of large powers.” 10 Mining news Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 NaturalAction resources In Brief The people behind the coal Gold mining in Colombia: Witness for Peace, New England are taking a delegation to Colombia, 3-13 August 2007. Colombiaʼs coal comes from two of the largest open-pit coal Cauca assembly in resistance mines in the world: El Cerrejón, begun Peter Bearder by Exxon in the 1980s and now owned by a consortium of UK-based compa- nies (Anglo-American, BHP Billiton uenos Aires is a small Afro- and Xstrata), and La Loma, owned Colombian mining commu- by the Alabama-based Drummond nity an hourʼs drive by jeep Company. Both of these mines export from the nearest town in large quantities of coal to the United Cauca,B southwest Colombia. The hall of States, and both have been accused of the local college is fi lled with a variety serious human rights violations. of faces from the municipio of Suarez The delegation will follow the trail - human rights workers, campesinos, of the coal that supplies power to New Afro-Colombians and members of England, meeting with human rights local indigenous groups such as CRIC activists, trade unionists, members (The Regional Indigenous Council of of Afro-Colombian and indigenous Cauca). communities, and others affected by They are all extremely concerned coal production. about the existence in their territory of the mining company Kedahda. Kedahda is 99.98% owned by Drummond skimping on taxes London/Johannesburg based Anglo Colombiaʼs Controller General (offi cial Gold Ashanti. Paramilitary violence auditor) has shown that US corpora- arrived in this part of Cauca two years tion Drummond that has been mining ago - the same time as Kedahda. It is Colombian coal since 1988 has a short- currently seeking to reform the coun- fall in royalty payments to the nation tryʼs Mining-Code which will ease the estimated at US $70 million. The exploitation of mining resources at the auditor accuses the Mining Ministry expense of the small mining compa- of failing in its duty to check mining nies, the environment and the rights of profi ts. Drummond under-reported the local communities. This forum is its profi ts by infl ating transport costs one of the fi rst steps in exercising the and citing a sale price lower than right to life, dignity and permanence in the state. On a daily basis we are now ties. The results were thousands dead the area. Event organizers and human international rates. These manoeu- the shadow of this mining giant. seeing protest and mobilization against and over 20,000 (offi cially) displaced. rights NGO La Red de Hermandad vres were revealed a year ago by Polo With a subsoil rich in basic minerals, the treaty from all sectors of Colombian “Our schools and hospitals have been (The Network of Brotherhood) Democrático opposition Senator Jorge Colombia is considered one of the civil society. burned to the ground three times”, believe it is necessary to confront the Enrique Robledo. Although due $70 `new frontiersʼ for the mining industry. Juan Andris is an Afro-Colombian he said, “and why? Because of the problem together and form a collec- million, the Mining Ministry has Already there are approximately 4,261 in his 20ʼs. He pointed to the largest resources on our land.” It was a brutal tive strategy through the exchanging accepted that Drummond need only gold mines, 191 platinum and 10 mine in the community across the warning from history and a heroic of experiences and ideas. Through pay $40 million to settle. emerald concessions. valley. “The environmental damage is tale of resistance. mobilization, in the widest sense The proposed reform to the Mining wholesale, water, land, air and social The forum saw the fortifi cation of possible, these communities hope to Code will favour applications from composition”. By social composi- solidarity and organization between achieve permanence in the face of State mining corporation companies with economic and tech- tion he is referring to the militariza- the indigenous groups and the Afro- Kedahdaʼs ominous advances. “If we On 1 May Uribeʼs government laid nical advantages. The Special Reserve tion and para-militarization of the Colombians. Traditionally there is not organise and believe in ourselves we off all remaining workers at the state Zones (protected environmental or community that comes with the arrival much trust between the two groups in can do many things”. mining corporation MINERCOL, ethnic territories) will be opened of large scale mining operations. culminating an 11 year campaign to up only to macro- strategic mineral Accompanying this are problems of eliminate it as an effective regula- projects. As such, they will be handed violence, prostitution, inequality and tory authority. The 1996 Mining Code to the biggest investors. To facilitate changes of surname which break social openly stated that the World Bank this, public resources such as water and cohesion. “Many of us have been relo- had ordered MINERCOLʼs closure. transport will be made freely available cated to Cali”, said another villager, Francisco Ramirez, President of the even if it is at the expense of local (Cali is a city three hour drive away) MINERCOL Workers Union, has competitors and inhabitants. Taxation “We are a rich country but there is so suffered seven attempts on his life, will also be fl exiblised; if no deposits much poverty”. but the union fi ghts on for an end to are found all taxes for the period Kedahda now owns 150,000 persecution and reinstatement of all its of exploration will be dropped. To hectares across Colombia. The corre- members. compound this the reform will further lation between the companyʼs opera- repress Colombiaʼs famously brief prior tions in Cauca and the spread of para- SINTRAMINERCOL: e-mail: consultation process. This amounts to military violence fi ts into the national [email protected] a clear violation of the right to territory pattern. Jorge Molano, a Bogotá based and participation for countless commu- human rights lawyer, told how in 70% nities across the country. Meanwhile of the municipalities where Kedahda Community leader health wrecked the inhabitants of Cauca fl ounder. have worked there have been tortures, Jose Julio Perez is President of the The day before (19 May) social move- disappearances and massacres at the Relocation Committee at Tabaco, the ments in the department declared a hands of paramilitary groups. What is community that was forcibly removed permanent assembly of the people. Itʼs more, in 335 of the 336 municipalities by the expansion of the El Cerrejón opening statement denounced corrup- people have been forcibly expelled off open cast mine in August 2001. Jose tion, underinvestment in health, educa- their land. Anglo Gold Ashanti and had a stroke on 25 May. He had just tion and infrastructure and the misap- the mining industry at large have a returned from Riohacha, where he propriation of their resources to benefi t shameful track record in contributing was attending an event in support of foreign capital. to Colombiaʼs 3.5 million internally SINTRACARBON, the union that The changes link up closely to displaced. organises workers at the mine, and its the pending Free Trade Agreement A representative recounted the campaign for better health services with the US. In November 2005 the experience in his department of Sur from government agencies. His family Minister of Mines and Energy, Luis de Bolivar where Kedahda has oper- has been struggling immensely to deal Ernesto Mejma, talked of “an enor- ated since 2004. From 1996, Anglo with the lack of health services in the mous world of opportunities that is Gold and Conquistador Mines found region, and their own lack of health opened up to the energy and mining gold deposits in Sur de Bolivar, insurance. Jose Julio is currently in sector with treaty”. Firma Cavellier opening up one of the bloodiest a private clinic in Valledupar (about de Abogados, a lawyers fi rm involved chapters of Colombian history. two hours away from where he lives in the signing of the treaty in Bogota, Paramilitary incursions have been in Albania). He initially suffered owns the 0.02% of Kedahda that does supported on land, in the air, and in paralysis in half of his body, but he has not belong by Anglo Gold Ashanti. the waterways by the 5th Brigade of been slowly recovering mobility and All the changes (privatization/ the Colombian Army. Blockades cut they are hopeful for a full recovery. deregulation/ trade liberalization) will off delivery of food and medicine Aviva Chomsky be imposed by the security forces of vital to the survival of the communi- June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America Mining news 11

Anglo American: Dismantling deception “We are here to defend the Richard Solly

mining activities in the Philippine Cordillera, accused the company of interests deceit and distortion in its dealings with opponents. Anglo Americanʼs behaviour in of the multinationals” Colombia is not unique – communi- ties around the world are similarly impacted by the companyʼs willing- ness to take advantage of poverty, - Soldiers of the Nueva Granada Battalion, confl ict and violent repression of dissent (see ʻFresh Allegationsʼ, The Serrania de San Lucas Observer 22 April 2007). The companyʼs responses to ques- tions raised on Colombia were Delphine Guillemoteau, Laurie Ray and Emilio Rodriguez vague. Cerrejon Coal is apparently committed to collective negotiation n the morning of 26 with communities facing reloca- April the president of the tion as the mine expands, if that is Agro-Mining Federation what the majority of their residents of the Sur de Bolívar wish. Community members tell us O(FEDEAGROMISBOL), was detained ondon-based mining multi- that they are under constant pressure by the soldiers of Colombian armyʼs national Anglo Americanʼs from people claiming to represent the Nueva Granada Battalion as he sat in annual shareholdersʼ AGMs company to sell up individually and his offi ce. According to the warrant are usually rather sleepy move away, thus undermining the for his arrest Teófi lo Acuña, trade Laffairs. Despite record profi ts of £5 possibility of collective agreements. unionist, is ʻsuspectedʼ of having been billion, this yearʼs meeting, on 17 The company wants evidence of this a guerrilla; alias ʻTeófi loʼ. April, was different. – but of course getting signed affi da- Teoʼs arrest is hardly an isolated Outside the AGM, members vits from residents accusing named incident and follows a long line of of Londonʼs Filipino community individuals of harassment and intimi- abuses by the army in the region, most displayed banners calling for the dation is diffi cult in circumstances signifi cantly the September 2006 company to get out of the Philippines, where impunity for acts of extreme killing of Alejandro Uribe Chacón, and Colombia Solidarity Campaign violence is the norm. president of the Community Action supporters handed out leafl ets with Anglo American refused to Group of Gallo Mine, while he was information about Anglo Americanʼs give information about Kedahdaʼs travelling home alone from a meeting activities in South Africa, the exploration activities, said that it in a remote part of the mining zone. Philippines, Ghana and Colombia. condemned human rights abuses Teó is a leading witness in the case Inside the meeting company and asked for evidence of any such against the Nueva Granada. Chairman Sir Mark Moody Stuart abuses in Kedahdaʼs areas of activity. It appears that the basis for Teoʼs was clearly troubled by the range and AngloGold Ashanti CEO Bobby arrest was the testimony of reinser- intensity of attacks on the companyʼs Godsell offered to consider any tados (demobilised guerrillas), who behaviour. written reports on the subject and to according to the Nueva Granadaʼs Colombia Solidarity Campaign meet with the companyʼs critics. human rights adviser, Dr Wilmer Egea members spoke about the forced Torres, “had seen [Teó] developing removals around the Cerrejon Coal he attack on the company a career as a civilian leader and they mine in La Guajira, one-third owned continued at the launch of felt resentful that he did not go through by Anglo American (see report in the the London Mining Network the same legal process as them, so they January-March 2007 edition of FLA), on 18 April. Participants at reported him.” and the paramilitary attacks against Ta meeting in a packed lecture theatre Teoʼs lawyer, Jorge Molano said: small scale gold miners in areas where in Londonʼs School of Oriental and “Teófi lo Acuña has absolutely never Kedahda SA is exploring – Kedahda is African studies heard about Anglo been part of any armed group. This 100% owned by AngloGold Ashanti Americanʼs record in much greater is the maximum demonstration of the Welcoming Teófi lo Acuña release of South Africa, and AngloGold detail from the visitors and from arbitrariness of justice in Colombia. Ashanti is 42% owned by Anglo Richard Solly of Colombia Solidarity He was deprived of liberty without The mining area is physically are unable to protect us. American plc. Campaign. Anglo Americanʼs Vice any legal process existing against him, isolated and itʼs a dayʼs travel by 4WD In Mina Vieja we met two activists Phillipus Dolo, a Mohlohlo President for External Affairs, Edward which violates all international human and mule from the town of Santa Rosa from Christian Peacemaker Teams community leader, and Richard Bickham, was given a right to reply rights norms. This constitutes an act to Mina Vieja, the community at which whoʼd held a meeting with the local Spoor, a lawyer representing commu- and spoke in a conciliatory manner. It of persecution against the Federation. weʼll be based until the assembly. On a commander, Captain Cruz, earlier that nities denied basic rights by Anglo was clear that the accusations leveled And precisely today, when the case hilltop and over looking the fi rst of the day. Without producing any evidence, Americanʼs Anglo Platinum subsid- at the company had found their target against the soldiers who executed communities we arrived at a perma- heʼd accused Federation leaders iary in South Africa, revealed the and that the prospect of a co-ordinated Alejandro Uribe was opened, one of nent army checkpoint. Between twenty of siphoning millions of pesos of massive environmental destruction approach to pressuring London-based the witnesses is under arrest.” and thirty soldiers, some off duty, Federation funds for their personal use and social dislocation, including mining multinationals by a number The mining zone of the Serrania cooking or phoning their families, are and of being auxiliaries of the guer- police violence and harassment, of organizations was causing concern de San Lucas, a range of densely based here. We were asked to produce rilla. In areas where paramilitaries associated with the companyʼs pres- – concern also expressed in articles forested hills dividing the Magdalena our identifi cation and the sergeant operate itʼs enough to be suspected ence there. Despite the companyʼs in the mining press in the following and Cauca fl ood planes, contains took down our details. The army is not of being a guerrilla to be murdered boast that it opposed apartheid and days. Colombiaʼs richest known reserves legally entitled to record this informa- and Captain Cruz himself has told is helping to construct the new South Representatives of communities of gold and Kedahda (a subsidiary tion but, like the locals, we are in no locals that the paramilitary group the Africa, Dolo told shareholders that evicted to make way for the Cerrejon of South African registered multi- position to argue. Águilas Negras, ʻare comingʼ. Should the treatment of rural communities mine were in Britain in January and national AngloGold Ashanti, 42% the armyʼs current approach (selec- by the company and local police are February, meeting parliamentar- owned by AngloAmerican, UK) with or the past year everyone tive killings and detentions of leaders, much the same as they were before ians and NGOs as well as holding the backing of the Colombian govern- entering and leaving the zone intimidation, attempts to discredit the – and the ʻSection 21ʼ black-owned public meetings. Their struggle for ment, is keen to exploit these reserves. has had their details taken federation and divide local communi- companies with which the multina- legal redress continues and they are Federation leaders believe that Teoʼs down, very worrying for local ties) fail to displace the miners, it is tional is working are unaccountable increasingly publicising their struggle arrest should be seen as part of the organisersF and activists who see it as possible that they will. and benefi t a small elite to the detri- through networks in Colombia, campaign of intimidation against a method of identifying community On 5-7 May members of ment of the community as a whole. Britain, Canada, Switzerland and the FEDEAGROMISBOL, which is a leaders and potentially drawing up a FEDEAGROMISBOL met, in the Santos ʻSantiʼ Mero, Deputy USA. Questions have now been raised strong defender of the rights of local detailed list of targets, a practice for face of intimidation and repression Secretary General of the Cordillera about the Cerrejon mine in the British communities against the multina- which there are clear precedents. and under the constant observation Peoplesʼ Alliance (CPA), an inde- Parliament and the matter is being tional. The soldiers were polite, but inter- of soldiers of the Nueva Granada, to pendent federation of progres- pursued by Green MEPs in Brussels Two days after Teoʼs arrest we went ested to know where we come from, reaffi rm their commitment to fi ght for sive peoplesʼ organizations in the and Strasbourg. the heart of the mining area to provide where weʼre going, what organisa- the rights of their communities and to Cordillera Region of the Philippines, To get involved in the Campaignʼs moral support, let the army know that tion we work for and the purpose of demand the release of Teó. and Tina Moyaen, Chairperson of the work on mining, or for more infor- the communities here are not isolated our visit. Finally they let us go with On 6 May Teo was released without Save Apayao Peoples Organization mation on the London Mining and accompany delegates to the a warning that weʼre entering an area charge due to the poverty of evidence (SAPO), which is spearheading local Network, contact Richard Solly, Federationʼs emergency assembly to full of ʻbanditsʼ (army shorthand for against him. The National Attorney ́s opposition to proposed large-scale [email protected]. be held on 5-7 May. guerrilla) and that from here on they Offi ce has not closed the case. 12 Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 Economics Colombia Geo-politics of exploitation: A critical point in history UK multinationals in Colombia and Britain

Andy Higginbottom

his article uses figures to illustrate its points. These are Chile in 2005 alone, the ex-South African mining giants Anglo- not just any numbers, these are key criteria of profit- American and BHP Billiton being the main beneficiaries. ability by which capitalists measure their own perform- ance, so they are a vital part of the story, but only that UK multinationals in the world partT seen from the perspective of the boardroom. Behind the Evidence that UK corporations are world leaders in hydrocarbons, numbers lies an apparatus of exploitation that spans continents mining and banking comes from the Financial Times report on the and draws tens of millions of people into its sway of relentless worldʼs top 500 companies, ranked by their capital valuation (how accumulation. much they are worth according to the stock market). The story begins in Colombia, where UK multinationals are BP and Shell are the second and third biggest private oil corpo- concentrated in the most profitable sectors, a characteristic of rations in the world (after US giant Exxon Mobil). Their combined their global performance. market value is $445 billion, 19% of the entire oil sector within the 2006 was a good year for corporations in Colombia, they FT top 500. There are 7 mining corporations in the FT top 500 reported an increase in net profits of 12.9% over 2005. Mining (ranked by market capitalisation) and no less than 4 of them are and construction companies celebrated with especially high rates UK based, or UK/Australian, corporations - constituting 81% of of return on capital invested. the capital in the sector. In short, UK based corporations preside Taking a look at the profits of the top 20 publicly listed compa- over world mining. nies shows how foreign corporations have moved in on the most £ The biggest finance companies in the world (banks, insurance profitable sectors. Amongst this elite group, the sectors with the and general finance) are based in the US, which together make up most profits were hydrocarbons (oil and gas), telecoms, mining 36% of the value of this sector within the top 500. At a similar level to Japan, UK banks and like corporations together make up 11% of world banking. This is significantly more than any other single $ European country, although the combined weight of all European banks apart from the UK is 26% of the entire sector. UK multinationals in Britain All of this has profound consequences for the character of the British economy, which is to an unparalleled extent based on super-profits extracted from abroad. More than ever, Britain is a society living off economic rents. The top 20 most highly valued corporations on the London over the last ten years. stock exchange were together valued at £ 999 billion, over half Three UK based mining corporations - Anglo-American, BHP the entire market valuation. Seven of these corporations are Billiton and Xstrata - declared $299 million profits from the in banking and insurance, together making over £36 billion in Cerrejon coal mine in 2006, with BHP Billiton making a further pre-tax profits in 2005. The three oil and gas corporations made $298 million from Cerromatoso nickel. even more profits, £43 billion. These two sectors are dominant, and finance, as indicated by Table 1. bringing in more than three quarters of the profits of The figures testify to the highly profitable appropriation of the top twenty UK multinationals. Colombiaʼs natural resources by foreign capital. Telecoms fit into The net loss in the telecom sector is due to this pattern as well: the highest profits in this sector are made on Vodafoneʼs plummet (it is still recovering from over- mobile phone services, by making use of the natural resource that valuing electromagnetic spectrum). Mining is rising is the electromagnetic spectrum. Colombiaʼs mobiles are domi- fast in importance, with just three corporations real- nated by the Mexican based transnational group América Móvil. ising £15 billion profits. Table 2 indicates that amongst the most profitable companies Here we see the benefit to UK capitalism of corporations investing in natural resource extraction from Latin America and elsewhere round the world. The two sectors with the highest rates of profit are mining and hydrocarbons, both enjoying over 16% average returns. Another dimension of this is the incredibly high profit per UK multinationals in Latin America employee achieved by the three top UK oil and gas companies The profile of highly profitable UK investments in the extractive (sector average over £205 thousand). Are their workers especially industries extends throughout the Andean region. The Foreign productive? Or do other factors allow these corporations to benefit Office reports on UK direct investments across Latin America, with from enormous monopoly rents? Certainly high energy demand finance, agri-industry and general manufacturing other important has enabled the select few controlling strategic energy production sectors. There has been a surge in profits over recent years. Taking to gain super-profits, and a privileged position even with respect to the four most profitable countries, UK corporationsʼ annual net other capitals. earnings increased fourfold from 2001 to over £2.7 billion in 2005 UK banks, oil and mining corporations are thriving on super- (see Table 3). Brazil and Mexico are by far Latin Americaʼs biggest profits. Their ʻsuccessesʼ are based on capital accumulated through economies, and attract considerable UK investment. But the star centuries of British expansion overseas, their ongoing accumula- performers – from the UK corporate perspective – are Colombia tion proof that imperialism is not a mere legacy but of vital contem- and above all Chile. UK corporations netted £1.14 billion from porary significance. Given the standing of these corporations, it is in Colombia, UK corporations make more profit than any other hardly surprising that UK foreign policy is investing nation. US corporations are in oil, mining, finance and geared to promoting and protecting their vehicles. French multinationals make profits in the oil sector, and exploitation, domination and privilege. Brazilian, Chinese and Indian corporations have all bought into But at what cost to the working people of this sector. Amongst Colombian owned public corporations, it is Colombia and the world? banks and related financial groups who make the most profit. The collapse of manufacturing in Britain About two thirds of the UK company profits come from occurred in the last generation, but the mining and one third from oil and gas. For example, BP started banks have generally dominated for the last oil extraction from Casanare department on the eastern Andes in century; their financial power and the UKʼs the early 1990s. In April 2007 the corporation announced it had militarised presumption of global leader- extracted its billionth barrel in the oilfield of Cusiana. BPʼs two ship go hand in hand. The pre-eminence of main subsidiaries reported profits of $347 million in 2006. Also oil and mining corporations are founded on in April 2007 BP Santiago Oil Company, Tepma (a subsidiary of British imperialismʼs decades of exploita- Total France) and state oil corporation Ecopetrol won a seven- tion of the Persian Gulf and South Africa year, $350 million contract to supply natural gas from Cusiana, respectively. This provides the context for involving the construction of a gas plant. The corporationʼs total linking solidarity across continents, the profits from Colombia are estimated at more than $2.5 billion need for unity against a common enemy. Mar-May 2006 Frontline Latin America Oil 13 Colombia Colombia’s oil: A critical point in history

Luis Humberto Hernández

olombia has oil reserves that, lose. Thereʼs no other way to explain at current rates of extraction, how, after the great fortune of Caño will only last another seven Limón in the 1980s and Cusiana in years. Moreover, in 2008 the 1990s, the stateʼs only policy is orC shortly after it could become a “crossing fingers” for a new miracle. net importer of oil; aggravating the Faced with todayʼs situation, as in financial crisis of the State, which the middle of 1970s, the oil authorities receives income from the oil sector use the same arguments to implement and will in the future have to use funds even more radical privatisation to buy oil. Imports will have to be paid policies to exploit resources, as a way at high prices as the era of cheap oil of getting out of the crisis. has ended. Oil policy is not only an issue of Colombiaʼs state oil corporation: the self-sufficiency of the sector, Ecopetrol (recently renamed, ECP but of the economic stability of the S.A.) produces directly 125 thousand country and the State itself. This barrels a day (tbd), and 405 tbd are policy is articulated in Unidos por la produced by foreign multinational excelencia. ECP Plan de Negocios corporations. 2002-2006. Under Contracts of Association, agreements between the corporations his establishes that new and the state, ECP takes 40% of the contracts will allow the oil produced plus the state takes a corporations to take 70% further 20% in royalties. The older of the production instead of Concession contracts are more theirT current 50%. The Plan sets out favourable to the multinationals. a new Royalty/Tax regime. The “new Altogether the multinationals take contract” (better called the neo-conces- 200 tbd of crude oil for themselves.. sion after the old concession regimes) These sources are just sufficient to opens the exploration period to 10 supply internal demand from oil years, evaluation 5 years and exploi- refineries. So, there is a paradox tation 24 years, a total of 39 years; shown in the statistics: of the 225 tdb ceding the right to exhaust the deposit. crude oil that Colombia exports, some The contractor has total autonomy and 200 tbd are by the multinationals. responsibility for 100% of production. Colombia used to be Latin Americaʼs Royalties are on a sliding scale starting third oil producer, and an exporter at just 4.8%, plus taxes. when prices were low, but from 1975 Ecopetrol has been divided – 1985 it had to import when prices administratively, creating a were high. The US $5 billion for oil corporation called National supplies not only soaked up all the Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) in surplus from the coffee export boom, charge of administration of the but added to the countryʼs constant sector, and ECP S.A. that is dedicated process of indebtedness, providing the exclusively to the development of pretext to let in the multinationals. industrial and commercial activities, In 1974, Decree 2310 of President and must “compete with the private Alfonso López Michelsen opened corprorations”, difficult for the up privatisation through Contracts old state corporation given that it of Association. The argument was barely figures in the top 200 of latin that investment was very risky for a America but will be up against giant country without financial capacity. corporations like Exxon. The new system started in 1984 to In this game of rebusque the the benefit of the US corporation multinationals are the good guys, Occidental exploiting the rich deposits they always win, and the country found at Caño Limón in Arauca in Beehive collective always loses because we are the bad Eastern Plains bordering Venezuela; old concessions in Magdalena Medio cross your fingers for a Tángara!, a In the end the natural economic guys. Due to the desolating effects of which at the time experts considered and Catatumbo only extracted crude successful field in Casanare, because order is re-established of those who a scavenger economy Colombia faces the biggest in the continent. Next in from the shallow strata, leaving without oil: “the country will suffer a always win and those who always an uncertain future. 1992 came a similarly rich find by secondary and tertiary layers intact. worse crisis than 1978 and could put British Petroleum (BP) at Cusiana This explains the current policy of the next President under pressure” . in Casanare department. These ECOPETROL of reopening the old discoveries were such a bonanza that fields to further exploitation. Economic Policy: Rebusque Oil ? Colombian Oil Discoveries the State could be fiscally assured The pessimists estimate just 5 Oil policy has adopted the rebusque throughout the 1980s and 1990s. billion barrels of reserves, with economy. [FLA Translatorʼs note: Year of Discovery Name of Field Reserves History is repeating itself, with the added problem of finding them Rebusque means to glean or scavenge (Millions of Barrels) the aggravating factor that with all given the extension and diversity of whatever you can from whatever its costs (politico-military, socio- the basins; and taking into account is around, rubbish for example]. cultural and human environment) the history of small fields before Rebusque is common amongst the 1918 Infantas 242 given the uncertainties of the country, the recent giant finds. There is also displaced, marginalised and excluded 1925 La Cira 534 the State is in fiscal intensive care. It the issue of land access, limited of Colombian society. 1940 Tibú 311 has a perspective of seeking oil fields, by the armed conflict, the rights of Itʼs a form of economy in but without the palliative of a coffee indigenous communities. underdeveloped countries, where 1946 Velásquez 270 boom. The government of Álvaro improvisation for short term survival 1964 Orito 241 Consideration of Colombiaʼs Uribe committed in its National in daily life takes precedence over geological provision divides opinion Development Plan to include a billion planning for the medium and long 1977 Chuchupa 520 between the optimists and the barrels of new reserves, 33 months term. 1983 Caño Limón 834 pessimists. The optimists estimate later it only managed one tenth of In the hands of the State this ends 1989 Cusiana 1,217 reserves of between 37 and 47 billion its target. Perhaps thatʼs why the up pilfering human, physical and barrels, because only 20% of the oil authorities have started to play a environmental resources for the 1993 Cupiagua 834 country has been explored, with 13 game of Luck. urgent rather than the necessary; in Sedimentary Basins bearing crude A recent article in El Tiempo the management of public affairs if not oil (see map). They argue that the newspaper was entitled, “Colombia, by corruption then by improvisation. 14 Special report on Casanare Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 Colombia Casanare and BP: A history that has to change

Manuel Vega & Martín Ayala

Forgetting and impunity signs of bad treatment, possibly torture and had sate and gas. Subsequently, in 1991, Cusiana-2A in Arauca, the Cusiana and Cupiagua fields he recent history of Colombia is a been shot in the temples. In other words they well penetrated deeply into the intervals of were gaining greater preponderance and were history of forgetting and of impunity; had received shots of execution. The events, the Mirador, Barco and Guadalupe, and explora- getting the attention not only of the national forgetting because official memory has testimonies from the community, the evidence tion from the Buenos Aires well confirmed the government but the armed actors (guerrillas, insisted on conserving only the great from the corpses and the fact that Roque Julio scale of the discovery. In the following year paramilitaries, army) too. This was no coinci- talesT of the national character, the names of was going to be a witness to the extra-judicial the viability of the Cupiagua field in Aguazul, dence, as confirmed by Amnesty Internationalʼs illustrious victims, of criminals and presidents, execution of another campesino at the hands of to the north west of the Cupiagua field, was denunciation in 1996, the booming oil industry leaving out the lives of those men and women the army are aggravating circumstances that are announced. of Casanare was accompanied by the prolifera- that constitute the flesh and blood of our reality; repeated in the various cases we document. Throughout Casanare, and the municipali- tion of paramilitaries and private security firms impunity because for years the possibility of Cases like these raise numerous questions: ties of Tauramena and Aguazul in particular, financed by BP. justice for brutal crimes against the people has Why were they murdered? What was the there was a rapid transformation of the social, In effect, BP arranged and sponsored the been systematically obstructed, crimes that have Colombian armyʼs objective in executing in political, economic and cultural life. However, presence of foreign mercenaries for support of destroyed the bonds that hold the social fabric of cold blood a sixteen year old child, given it is this process was largely determined by the extractive operations. As denounced by several Colombia together. supposedly responsible for defending freedom relationship between transnational companies trade unions and human rights organisations, In effect, we have witnessed powerlessly and democracy? Why does this type of event and a state that had very little or no interest in “During the pipeline construction, Roger the recurrence of human rights violations and occur – more than ten extrajudicial executions the defence of national sovereignty. Thus, even Brown, a retired colonel of the SAS, was named of past tragedies, due to the lack of effective perpetrated by the state in Aguazul so far this though some people saw the emergence of an as president in the documentation”. This English justice and a critical memory. Today, those year – in close proximity to oil wells under BPʼs opulent society in Casanare, the infrastructural interference, as with the presence of foreign ghosts are relived in a nation trapped between control? The answer is found at the juncture of development and demographic growth began mercenaries, was clear in the region. An inves- totalitarianism, paramilitarism and the reign of oil, transnational companies, paramilitarism and to produce a complex phenomenon of social tigation by a group of Colombian and British transnational capitalism. That is the true face of Colombian state terrorism, all brought together conflict, economic imposition and state permis- journalists revealed that during the pipeline Colombia, hidden behind the mask of President in Álvaro Uribe Vélezʼs policy of democratic siveness, the scale of which is still not fully development, Brown tried to contract a group Álvaro Uribe Vélezʼs policy of democratic security appreciated. of retired members of the Isreali army to train security. Those are the elements that explain a The case of little Roque Julio and Daniel paramilitaries in the use of important military good part of our current reality: transnational Torres is a sufficient motive for changing the BP in Casanare equipment (helicopters, weapons, uniforms and interests, a corrupt right wing government and history of BP in Casanare. Despite the fact that BP Exploration (BPX) munitions). This project was interrupted after paramilitarism. had a presence in the country in the 1920s, and the findings of the investigation were published The department of Casanare situated in Black Gold or the history of a sovereignty later with small agreements in the 1960s, it was in The Guardian in London3. the eastern plains region of Colombia is not handed over only in 1986 that the company established a an exception. Since the 1990ʼs when the At the beginning of the twentieth century, significant presence, with the acquisition of land ven after the revelations nothing was transnational oil company BP commenced in 1905 to be exact, oil exploration began in in the eastern piedmont range through “Farm done about it. Amnesty International oil exploration, there have been hundreds of Colombia. In that year the national govern- In” contracts2. The exploitation of Cusiana affirmed in its document AI: AMR disappearances and extrajudicial executions, ment signed a controversial contract with field commenced under the framework of the 23/044/1997 that several denun- multiple cases of resources diverted from the oil Roberto de Mares of the Tropical Oil Company Santiago de las Atalayas (SDLA) contract Eciations were made concerning BP4 . One economy, thousands of abuses against the rural through which he was awarded the oil region agreed by BPX, Triton, Total and state oil of these in particular was the result of a UK population, not to mention the harmful changes of Barrancabermeja. This would constitute corporation Ecopetrol. television programme BPʼs Secret Soldiers that oil has brought to society and to the local the first concession in a history of giving away BPʼs small agreements in Colombia became (World in Action), which claimed that BP culture. However, all of that has been placed resources, and with them our sovereignty, to much bigger in the 1990s. In 1991, as a conse- had signed a contract with Defence Systems into the oblivion, subjected to concealment and transnational companies. quence of the constitutional change occurring in Limited (a British private security company) destined, without the right of appeal, for the the country, Casanare became a department and to provide courses to a police unit responsible land of impunity. When this happens crimes or the eastern plains region exploration a propitious environment for BPʼs interests. In for protecting its personnel and installations in are repeated so it is necessary to establish a would begin in the 1920s. During the effect, by 1993, the year in which oil exploita- Casanare. The courses gave instruction in coun- precedent against silence and forgetting, against 60s and 70s the exploration continued in tion and production was formalised in Cusiana terinsurgency techniques included the handling impunity and concealment. the foothills region without favourable and Cupiagua, BP had 19% of the SDLA in of lethal weaponry, sniper fire and man to man To mobilise solidarity, to prick consciences, results.F It was only in 1983 with the discovery Tauramena, while Ecopetrol had 50% and Total combat. to take a step to stop, once an for all the harsh of a billion barrels of oil in the Caño Limón and Triton 19% and 12% respectively. The total The operation of these groups goes hand in reality that the department of Casanare has field in the eastern plains basin of Arauca that extension of land covered in the contract was hand with the labelling of those members of the experienced is the aim of this article. the country again became a crude oil exporter. 50,000 hectares. Moreover, BP was the owner local community who participate in legitimate Official history tells us only that this was the of 100% of the private interests in the piedmont. protests against the environmental impact of the A motive start of a growing and prosperous economy that The area of these licences totalled 600,000 oil companies. When community leaders are On 16 March this year the community of increased the countryʼs development. hectares. appointed, murder, threats, disappearances and El Triunfo in Aguazul, a municipality in However, the inhabitants of Barrancabermeja But in those first years, BP not only oper- torture begin; practices that shape the combined Casanare, informed COS-PACC of the murder and Arauca remember it differently. They ated the oil fields in these lands usurping our course of action for the state forces, paramili- of two campesinos, 38 year old Daniel Torres remember it as the start of a war for ʻblack goldʼ, resources and generating negative environ- taries and the private security firms. Arciniegas and his son Roque Julio Torres the commencement of a progressive destruction mental impacts such as the destruction of water In that respect Amnesty International Torres who was only 16. According to the 16th of culture, the forced and violent imposition of sources, changes to the ecosystem associated pronounced: “It is especially worrying for Brigade of the Colombian army they had been the western way of life that has torn little by with the burning of gas, damage to the ground us that the procedures employed by Defence taken down in the middle of a battle and were little the social fabric to such an extent that the due to seismic tests and unplanned road Systems Colombia (DSC), a subsidiary of guerrilla fighters. According to the inhabitants two regions have become and continue to be building. Its strategy to tackle the socio-political Defence Systems Ltd. which has its head office of the region and the victimsʼ family, neither an battlefield, one of the most complex conflict reality of a region noted for the presence of left in the UK, could contribute to committing Daniel nor Roque Julio were guerrillas, nor scenarios the country has experienced.1 wing and right wing armed actors, and organ- human rights violations against the civilian did they die in combat. They were merely two Something similar occurred in Casanare, ised communities, was very questionable. population. DSC has a contract with BP to carry campesinos extra-judicially executed by the except history has omitted many details about out its security operations in Colombia until army in what constitutes a clear violation of this department. In 1980 a well named Cusiana- BPʼs security strategy, paramilitarism and 1997 and also had a contract with OCENSA, the human rights. 1 in Tauramena municipality showed signs of the role of the state business consortium - which includes BP among According to their family both of them had the existence of a significant volume of conden- As a consequence of the depletion of oil reserves other transnationals - that built the pipeline that June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America Special report on Casanare 15 Casanare

transports petroleum from the oil fields to the pearances and extrajudicial executions at the Ascencio, the attack against Segundo Suarez fear, the community of El Morro has tried coast”5. hands of the Colombian army that today are (campesino from Marroquin); the house- to re-constitute an organisation: Asojuntas multiplied in the fields of the department, a breaking of Fanny Núñez, the imprisonment of del Corregimiento del Morro. The future of he counterinsurgency instruction picture is painted of constant social destruction Hernando Caceres (activist of ANUC Casanare) Asojuntas is uncertain, as a local campesino went alongside additional forces as of the fundamental rights of the population, all and president of the Association Municipal de said: BP also contracted the Colombian on behalf of the transnational economy. Usuarios Campesinos deYopal. “they now force you to create something new army to protect its businesses: sover- In resistance, ACDAINSO encouraged and you are left wondering, when will they eignty in exchange for dollars. The New York The extermination of the social strikes, marches, forums and events to highlight break this one down, when will be have to again T organisations. How can we forget? Times published a report claiming that BP had the fact that the agreements signed between the say ʻAsojuntas is deadʼ. It seems that they have contracted 500 soldiers and 150 officers of company BPX and the campesinos were not political shields they put on and take off as they the army in order to secure its oil installations ACDAINSO is the Community Association for being met. In this way, at the end of 2002 the wish”. throughout the country. During these years it the Social and Agro-Industrial Development community of El Morro went on strike for 45 was estimated that BP paid around US $54 – 60 of Morro (Asociación Comunitaria Por el days (longer than the 1994 strike). Through this The oil transnationals and the reality of million for private security. According to a range Desarrollo Social y Agroindustrial del Morro). strike issues relating to labour conditions of BP Casanare today. A change of strategy? From of sources, BP presently pays between 700,000 What happened to ACDAINSO is a clear workers were highlighted as well as the afore- paramilitarism to democratic security. and 800,000 pesos to officers of the 16th Brigade example of the relation between the presence mentioned agreements. of the army for its role in protecting the oil infra- of BP and the systematic elimination of one But the result of these efforts were not very Itʼs 30 March 2007. Together with the Political structure. We have already seen that the 16th of the most important social organisations of encouraging, because after the 2002 strike Prisoners Solidarity Committee (FCSPP), those 7 Brigade were responsible for the extrajudicial Casanare , and which had in fact been created the president of the association Javier Fonseca in COS-PACC responsible for human rights, executions of those such as Roque Julio, Daniel with the aim of exercising some control over the and its representative Ramiro Sanchez were carried out a new urgent action in respect of Torres and Ernesto Cruz Guevara, murdered on actions of BP and thus counteracting the effects threatened. Two years later, in September 2004, the assassination of two more campesinos in 23 April this year. of economy of oil. Javier Vargas, a representative of the community the region. When will this end! The document We have also described the direct military ACDAINSO was set up on 10 August 1995 organisation was assassinated and its treasurer states: support provided by the BP. As Amnesty to represent the campesinos of 17 small villages Fassio Olguín was wounded in an assassination “The campesinos living in the piedmont foot- International has stated, it is alarming that DSC/ that constituted the El Morro district in the attempt at his home. These events were only 10 hills zone of Aguazul-Casanare, have since 1996 OCENSA bought military equipment for the township of Yopal, Casanare. That year, over days apart. By a rather suspicious coincidence, until now been victims of labelling and subject 16th Brigade of the army which has an atrocious 100 delegates formed this legal entity so it in February 2003, the BPX Yopal representative to all classes of abuse and cruel and inhuman human rights record. At exactly the same time could represent them with the government of the community relations department, Jorge treatmentsuch as: the disappearance, assassina- DSC/OCENSA was buying military equipment and the private sector - in this case, BPX (BP Guzman, said he was tired of ACDAINSO as tion, torture, death threats, forced removals, in 1997, an important group of soldiers from the Exploration) - on the issue of oil and develop- the organisation did not let them work in El massive and arbitrary detentions, affecting the 16th Brigade was being investigated for involve- ment. Morro. Added to this were the declarations bulk of inhabitants”. ment in April 2006 in the killing of 15 unarmed The moment of the creation of ACDAINSO made by local people stating that BP, the mayor According to the inhabitants of a village civilians in Segovia. The brigade was also being was crucial for the inhabitants of this district. of Yopal and the Casanare local government had called Alto Cupiagua, “in Aguazul munici- linked to paramilitary organisations. In effect, it constituted a mechanism of resist- decided to finish off ACDAINSO and set up an pality, Casanare department, on Friday 30 The denunciations for human rights viola- ance in the face of the repression against the organisation that would serve their interests. March this year at about 12 midday, agents tions committed by the Colombian army and organisations that was taking place in the from the Gaula unit of the 16th Brigade of the BP in those years are unequivocal and come department at the hands of the state and para- n September 2004, the treasurer of National Army detained YEFER ARNOLDO from diverse sources. For example, in 1998 the state forces. At the same time as the inter- ACDAINSO, Oswaldo Vargas, was assas- MORA SANABRIA aged 21 years, WILLIAM European parliament condemned the Colombian union committee UNIDOS POR CASANARE sinated and on 10 May 2005, the president MARTINEZ SUAREZ aged 17 and 16 year government for its inaction over what was (United for Casanare) crumbled, the Asociación of ACDAINSO, Parmenio Parra was also old GUSTAVO MORA SANABRIA”. [FLA happening, “We ask the president of Colombia Departamental de Usuarios Campesinos assassinatedI together with his partner. Later on, adds - Gaula is a notorious special forces unit]. to fully publish the report of his human rights ADUC de Casanare (Peasant Association of on 6 June, the arrests of Hector Orlando Camargo It became known afterwards that Gaula had commission on BP in Casanare and request that Casanare Department) was exterminated, and together with two of his children and 5 other reported that the persons detained were subver- the European oil companies observe the strict the committee formed by 36 villages in Yopal campesinos were made public. Orlando Camargo sives who had been taken down in combat. human rights and environmental protection and 2 villages in Nunchía to bring paved roads had in 1994 been a member of the executive The Catholic human rights organisation norms, especially given the conflict zones in to el Morro disappeared as well. ACDAINSO committee of the campaign organising to bring CINEP has documented 53 cases between 2001 which they work.” 6 emerged as a new option for community organi- paved roads to El Morro. The deaths continued, and 2006 of abuses by the security forces, assas- On 15 February 1999 the Oil Workers Union sation. but nevertheless the justice system took the focus sinations, extra-judicial executions and disap- (USO) denounced a series of irregularities Nevertheless, this association started to have of the attention away from the guilty and onto the pearances with responsibility believed to be of in the behaviour of BP related to the evident problems a year after its creation, as the commu- victims. In effect, the Attorney Generalʼs Office paramilitary groups, the national army, DAS British support for the presence of the company nity increasingly pressurised for the agreements initiated an investigation against ACDAINSO, as [security police], or Gaula, amongst others10. in Colombia. They denounced the unfulfilled signed with BPX in 1994 to become a reality. told by a campesino: Thus far in 2007 there have been more than 12 obligations and compromises made in the The exercise of citizenship and sovereignty “the investigations started and they started cases of extra-judicial executions in Aguazul contracts signed between BP and ECOPETROL, carried out by members of the Association to talk, and spread rumours that the organisa- municipality. If we add to this the hundred of the corruption and consent of the Colombian motivated the Convivir8 forces of Casanare tion was perhaps manipulated by the guerrillas, dead buried in common graves and disappeared government itself in relation to the company, commanded by Alias Chubasco to issue threats which has never been true, but it was a suspicion at the hands of the military, as well as the violations of workers and campesino rights in against the ACDAINSO leaders. These threats and it was one of the excuses used by them in numerous cases that the victims families have the region, environmental damage and the clear generated panic amongst the population, and in order to start an investigation to the point when not denounced because of their fear, it is obvious relationship already described: BP, paramili- the end the threats did not materialise because the Attorney Generalʼs Office took the docu- that Casanare is suffering an acute human rights taries, army and private security firms. by then the attention of the international ments and brought them to investigate them crisis. Without any doubt BP has brought more community was set on the community of El before then returning them”. 9 How can this be explained when BP suppos- problems than benefits to Casanare. From the Morro. Because of the systematic extermination of edly changed its strategy; the democratic murder of leaders like Carlos Arrigí in April The events that brought BP and this region its leaders, and thanks to the persecution at the security policy of Uribe and the paramilitary 1995 and the death threats made against Alfonso under the spotlight of the international commu- hands of the Colombian state itself, the exist- demobilisation have managed to pacify the Chaparro, to the deaths of campesinos and nity were the following: the assassination of the ence of ACDAINSO came to an end in July department and with a “healthy” relationship workers right up to the mass detentions, disap- campesino leaders Carlos Arrigi and Gabriel 2005. At present, and in spite of the constant between the oil economy and regional develop- 16 Special report on Casanare Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 Casanare Map of Casanare

ment? Today it is clear to us that the humani- But if these measures help partially to change 3. These models of private security are tarian situation is linked with a strategy for the the situation of the region, what is at the root is the correlate of the initiatives in energy oil producing area of Casanare that has been the issue of sovereignty over resources. And it is resources that the United States and other conceived between BP and the Colombian army, towards that that the social organisations must powers have brought to other places in which consists of several elements such as secu- direct their efforts in the long run. It is only the world: “...in unstable surroundings, rity (a strategy of dirty war), social programmes when Colombians can decide on the extraction, private security companies can concern (disarticulating the regional development plan transformation and use of their natural resources themselves with security, so that they are through buying dependency), amongst others. that it will be possible to stop the exploitation of busy controlling protests and crowd, co- So paramilitarism and certain sectors of the the same by the transnational corporations. Only ordinating with state forces, or supplying army decided to eliminate social organisations by nationalising oil will it be possible to create armed security to installations and in Casanare in the 90s to 2004; organisations a model of development and life that regulates personnel”. Said policy was evident in that made BP responsibile for the environment the use of crude oil to preserve the environment, Casanare, as seen by the workers protests and social investment. The current policy of to use the profits from this business in ways and whatever manifestation of popular democratic security is a policy under which, that are relevant to Colombians, and to stop the opposition to the corporation in the 1990s in the name of the counterinsurgency struggle, social and armed conflict that is largely due were violently repressed by mixed security social leaders and organised campesinos that to social inequalities and the subjection of the forces. form an obstacle for the interests of the transna- country to the economic interests of interna- 4 Amnesty International, “Colombia: La tionals are eliminated. In this manner the disap- tional powers. compañía petrolífera British Petroleum pearances and massacres by the paramilitaries (BP) se expone a alimentar la crisis de up to 2004 have given way to extra-judicial Manuel Vega & Martín Ayala are members derechos humanos mediante formación executions at the hands of the army and the of COS-PACC (Corporación Social para la militar.”, AI: AMR 23/044/ 30 June 1997 security forces. Asesoría y la Capacitación Comunitaria - 5Amnesty International, “Amnistía Or, in other words, the defence of oil in Social Corporation for Community Advice and Internacional renueva su llamamiento a the region has passed from paramilitarism to Capacity Building. las compañías petroleras que operan en “democratic security”. The strategy adopted by Colombia para que respeten los derechos president Uribe is less a policy that will bring Notes. humanos”, ÍNDICE AI: AMR 23/79/98/s peace to our nation than a strategy to guarantee 1During the nineteenth century Colombia 13 October 1998. the best environment for the transnationals. lived through innumerable internal 6 Madrid, 3 November 1996 In this some members of Uribeʼs government wars in consolidating its Republic. The 7There are other examples such as are right. During recent years there has been a twentieth century started with the ʻWar the removal of the members of the greater deployment of official security forces of a Thousand Daysʼ, a confrontation ADUC of Casanare, the destruction of in the country, and a process of demobilisation to the death between the Liberals and ASOCOCHARTE, etc. of the paramilitaries11. This signifies a better Conservatives that was ended by a weak 8Autodefense Forces Organisations situation for foreign investment, without doubt. peace accord and the loss of the Panama supported by, amongst others, the current The problem is, on the one hand, that militarisa- canal. The tensions of an unequal society president of Colombia Alvaro Uribe tion has brought more attacks on the peasantry, were again expressed in the period 9 Interview with former ACDAINSO on social leaders, including on their children known as The Violence between Liberals leader. - a very high cost to pacify the country. On the and Conservatives during the 1940s and 10Some cases involved several victims. other hand, the demobilisation deepens impu- 1950s that cost thousands of lives across 11We must make clear that many social nity. The social fabric will not be reconstituted the length and breadth of the country. At organisations consider that the negotia- simply by acts of good will, but with effective the beginning of the 1960s what is today tion process rather than a legalisation of justice. And finally, the affluence of corporation known as the internal armed conflict was the paramilitaries is a handover to them. and foreign investors produces an improving configured. This conflict consists in mili- Many of them continue in delinquency, economy for the rich, while for the poor it tary and political confrontation between assassinating, massacring and extortion. only brings more deaths, more environmental leftwing insurgent organisations that Their leaders are treated complacently damage, more submission.12 arose at different points (FARC, ELN, by the government and up to now very What is the responsibility of BP in all of EPL, M-19, amongst others) and the few have been sentenced. Furthermore this? This and other questions need answering. Colombian state. Currently the two most the great majority have not handed over What should be done? It is essential to confront important guerrilla movements main- neither the funds nor the properties that this problem in various ways. In the first place taining this struggle are the ELN and the they took from the campesinos and besides, a precise and serious investigation of those FARC, with the appearance of paramili- they want to participate in political life, a elements that explain the situation of oil in tary groups backed by the state to combat para-policy project has been developing Casanare. With this we must commit ourselves the insurgency. for some time in the country. to act, to carry out campaigns directed at stop- 2There have been concession 12In fact one of the greatest criticisms of ping the consumption of BP products (products contracts, association contracts and the Uribe government is the absence of stained with the blodd of Colombian peasants) direct exploitation by state oil corpora- clear and definite social policies. Although and to organise our communities to demand tion ECOPETROL. In the first two forms the economic figures have increased and responsible management of the oil economy. of contract, the concessionary took the there is the appearance of improvement in At another level, it is necessary to denounce major part, hence they enriched the public order, the reality is that in the fields and judge the Colombian government and BP transnacional corporations much more people are dying of hunger as in Choco, before supra-national organisations and the than the Colombian State. Clearly, its or otherwise are being assassinated by the international community (breaking the silence important to say that the concessionary army or the rump paramilitary groups. and impunity). The Permanent Peoples Tribunal contracts were suspended in 1974 Decree These deaths do not figure in public, nor and the oil campaign that is going forward in 2310, and the only ones still active were does anybody in the cities make such a Colombia are one of the spaces for this. signed before that date. cruel reality their concern. June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America Free trade 17

European free trade onslaught in Latin America: European Union endorses highly dangerous negotiation mandates for free trade areas with Central he formation of ʻEnlazando dinate political and social dialogue Alternativasʼ in Guadalajara, between peoples. We affirm our right America and the Andean Community Mexico in 2004 opened a new to give voice to these initiatives and chapter in relations between we strongly believe in our capacity to Thomas Fritz peoplesT as it integrates civil society formulate them. organizations from Latin America and the Caribbean with their European For further information visit: t the end of April of 2007, Fostering the grip of private capital on peers in a network that embraces www.enlazandoalternativas.org the European Council public services, the European Union the concept of solidarity and mutual adopted highly dangerous demands a “progressive liberalisa- support. Links of solidarity between To take part in our electronic discus- mandates for the nego- tion” of Latin American procurement both regions date back to the periods sion on the EULAC relations and the tiationA of so-called Association markets, including “public entities of dictatorship, national liberation activities of the network subscribe to Agreements with Central America in the water, energy and transport movements and the struggle against the network e-list ([email protected]. [1] and the Andean Community [2]. sectors”. “500 years” of colonisation. net) writing to [email protected] The negotiations will start in a few The European negotiation mandates The essence of this network aims to weeks. Main pillars of the proposed constitute a neoliberal offensive against go one step beyond these movements, To take part in our electronic discus- Association Agreements are free trade already weakened public services. recreating these bonds of solidarity sion list on transnationals, write to areas which aim at a radical disman- Ignoring all the bad experiences with but in a global and bi-regional context [email protected] tling of all trade barriers in both Latin failed privatisations they run counter that corresponds with the current American regions. The negotiation to the many efforts of regaining demo- challenges. The network intends to Contact points: mandates reach far beyond the accords cratic control over public goods like provide a space for articulation by For Latin America and the Caribbean: of the World Trade Organisation, by water, energy or land. They undermine social organisations and movements Hemispheric Social Alliance including investment liberalisation politics of redistribution of wealth, from both regions with the purpose Secretariat - [email protected] and the opening up of state purchases agrarian reforms or nationalisations of of constructing alternative proposals to the benefit of European corpora- natural resources, that are underway of social and economic organization For Europe: Transnational Institute tions. Moreover, the EU is explicitly in Bolivia, Ecuador or Nicaragua. It is from the bottom up, as well as to coor- (TNI) - [email protected] demanding market openings in the differentiations of Andean countriesʼ particularly disturbing to see the EU water, energy and transport sectors, commitments to the EU “shall be reintroduce the so-called “Singapore European transnational corporations thus pushing for the unhampered priva- limited to a minimum”, Colombian issues” of investment, competition and tisation of essential basic services... and Peruvian liberalisations would procurement rules, which have already effectively extend to Bolivia and been rejected in the WTO. In this and neo-liberal globalisation Neoliberal mainstreaming Ecuador as well. sense, the Association Agreements According to the EU draft mandates, would represent very dangerous “WTO the Association Agreements shall Blackmailing Latin America plus” accords. deal “comprehensively with all trade The Association Agreements aim at Finally, the European trade attack components, and be fully consistent the dismantling of all import duties effectively undermines alternative with WTO rules and obligations”. They over a period of time “not exceeding approaches of regional integration have to provide for “the progressive 10 years”. A so-called “review clause” like the Bolivarian Alternative for the and reciprocal liberalisation of trade in shall enable further market openings Americas ALBA [4]. While ALBA goods and services”. Reciprocal liber- for products that havenʼt been fully rests on principles of solidarity and alisation means, that Latin American liberalised after the entry into force of complementarity, the European Union countries have to implement the same the free trade areas. Through succes- is pushing for unfettered competition level of market openings as the EU, sive rounds of negotiations the EU and reciprocal market openings to irrespective of the huge economic wants to abolish all remaining barriers the detriment of Andean and Central gap between both sides. Accordingly, to trade. Consequently, Andean and American economies. Therefore, the mandates do not mention any Central American governments will the neoliberal European offensive “special and differential treatment”, lose any means to protect family shouldnʼt be underestimated. Trade thus ignoring the most basic demand farmers or local enterprises against agreements with the European Union of Southern governments to, at least, highly competitive and often subsi- pose the same threats as the US accords mitigate current asymmetries.[3] dised exports from the European with Central America, Colombia or Differentiations of Latin American Union. Peru. ransnational corporations rights groups, affected communi- countriesʼ commitments to the EU Under the EU General System of (TNCs) are the main actors ties, NGOs), a clear expression of “shall be limited to a minimum”. Preferences (GSP) Andean and Central * FDCL Forschungs- und and beneficiaries in managing the social and political struggles on Therefore, in the case of the Andean American countries enjoy preferential Dokumentationszentrum and promoting neo-liberal both continents. The corporations Community, Bolivia or Ecuador market access to the European Union Chile-Lateinamerika , Berlin. globalizationT and its ideology. In accused include: Telefonica, Aguas de would have to agree to the same level for selected products. However, these Materials in German, Spanish, Latin America and the Caribbean, this Barcelona, Unión Fenosa, Consorcio of market openings as Colombia. preferences will be covered by the new English at website www.fdcl.org expresses itself not only through the OCP, Sol Meliá Riu Resorts, Viva, Similarly, in the Central American free trade agreements and the Latin bellicose imperialism of the United Ibero Star, Unilever, Calvo Ence, case, Nicaraguaʼs liberalisations would American beneficiaries “shall be with- [1] In Central America the EU nego- States and its companies, but also British Tobacco, Bayer, BBVA, Suez, have to be as far-reaching as those of drawn” from the list of countries bene- tiates with Costa Rica, El Salvador, through the European Unionʼs (EU) GTZ, Repsol YPF, Monterrico Metals, Panama. In other words, progressive fiting from the GSP. Thanks to this Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua neo-liberal policies and the activities Gala, Bennetton. governments in Bolivia or Ecuador provision, the European Commission and Panama. of its transnationals. The Tribunal revealed the huge shall be forced to follow the same disposes of a very effective means [2] Members of the Andean “Enlazando Alternativas” recog- range of sectors affected by transna- path as their neoliberal counterparts in of extortion: governments that donʼt Community are Bolivia, Peru, nizes that any project for “another tionals and the penetration of European Colombia and elsewhere. agree with European demands risk Ecuador and Colombia. possible world” must undoubtedly be corporations, from the late 1980s and This tendency will also be rein- losing their current preferences. [3] The mandates only mention the based on the struggle against TNCs as identified common elements and viola- forced by the demand for “parity” possibility that asymmetries “may part of social transformation. For this tions regarding the following rights: with third countries. If an Andean or Attacking public goods be considered, where necessary”, for reason, the network organised a session basic essential services, land and food Central American country has signed In order to facilitate and protect instance, by agreeing to “different of the Permanent Peoplesʼ Tribunal sovereignty, workers rights, rights of a free trade accord with a third country European investment the mandates timings for transitional periods”. (PPT) on “Neo-liberal Policies and indigenous peoples and environmental like, for instance, the United States, envisage “frameworks for establish- Leaked drafts the mandates at European Transnational Corporations rights: “All of the violations presented “EU investors shall be granted at least ment” which will be based on princi- www.inpade.org.ar/centrodocument- in Latin America” at the Enlazando here, together with the erratic behav- parity with the treatment granted to ples of “non-discrimination, market acion.php Alternativas 2 Social Encounter in iour of financial markets, have resulted investors and service suppliers of access” and on “general principles [4] For an analysis see: Fritz, May 2006 in Vienna (Austria). in a massive attack against social and this third country”. This demand is of protection”. Furthermore, the EU Thomas, 2007: ALBA contra ALCA, The Tribunal heard cases presented economic rights to development.” especially dangerous for Ecuador wants “competition rules”, which La Alternativa Bolivariana para las by over 50 organisations (unions, The Enlazando Alternativas 3 Social and Bolivia, because Colombia and restrict “anti-competitive behaviour” Américas: una nueva vía para la inte- peasant and indigenous move- Encounter will take place in Lima, Peru have recently signed bilateral like, for instance, state aids for public gración regional en Latinoamérica. ments, environmentalists, human Peru in May 2008. trade agreements with the US. Since utilities or other local enterprises. http://www.fdcl-berlin.de/index. 18 The energy debate Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 Bio-fuels Biofuels Energy vs Energy “Tranforming food Gareth Peoples or a long time now pressure Mexico has already felt the strain into fuels has been growing to find alter- of the USʼs corn-for-fuel desire, with natives to oil, in the form of the international prices for corn rock- biofuels. This need is greatly eting. exacerbatedF as more and more people In January this year, mass protests is a monstrosity” turn to private transport. were triggered in Mexico when the Threat to food sovereignty In recent months the United States price of tortillas rose by 100 per cent. and Brazil have signed cooperation A recent UN report stated that while -Fidel Castro, 2007 agreements in their ethanol industries, biofuels can bring real benefits, “there which promise to increase production can be serious consequences if forests Steven Mather of ethanol as a biofuel. are razed for plantations, if food prices Brazil is the worldʼs second largest rise, and if communities are excluded hey were hoping he was dead Brazilian President Luiz Inacio of agrifuels will have to come from the producer of ethanol after the US, and from ownership.” but Cuban president Fidel “Lula” da Silva has promoted the bio- South.” has been producing since the early The report concludes that biofuels Castro seems to be making fuels agreement in an article he wrote Less land for food production will 1970s. Brazilʼs ethanol comes from are more effective when used for heat a come back. He has put for the right wing Washington Post. In mean less food around and that will sugarcane, which requires little agri- and power rather than in transport. Thimself at the centre of the debate it he said bio-fuels were, “a recipe for mean higher prices. According to cultural and industrial resources. In February this year the Brazilian over whether bio-fuels are a viable increasing incomes, creating jobs and Castro this is already occurring, Sugarcane provides close to 50 per Landless Workers Movement (MST) alternative to fossil fuels through a alleviating poverty among the many “The prices for this grain [maize], cent of Brazilʼs fuel requirements and released a statement that said: “The series of strongly argued articles that developing countries where biomass the staple diet in numerous countries of uses only one per cent of the countryʼs expansion of the production of biofuels criticise a recent agreement between crops are abundant”. the region, have almost doubled. What arable land. aggravates hunger in the world. We Brazil and the US. Fidel Castro disagrees. He says the will happen when hundreds of millions The US on the other hand manufac- cannot maintain our tanks full while Bio-fuels such as ethanol are plans could have devastating conse- of tons of maize are redirected towards tures corn to produce its ethanol, which the production of biofuel? And I rather is far more demanding on carbon fuels not mention the amounts of wheat, during production. Consequently, with millet, oats, barley, sorghum and other a growing biofuel industry, the amount cereals that industrialized countries of corn-based ethanol produced could will use as a source of fuel for its be offset by the amount of energy engines.” going into the production process. Castro makes another impor- An article by a Brazilian organic tant point. Mainstream development farmer claims that Brazil has merely thinking often points to “fair trade” twelve per cent of the total number of as the way forward for the South. vehicles that the US has. Furthermore, Tariffs and subsidies in the North it consumes only 2.9 per cent of the should be removed to allow countries total gasoline used in the US. Such from the South to sell their products figures demonstrate that the aggressive at a competitive price internationally, push to escalate sugarcane production it is argued. However, that argument in Brazil is not to benefit Brazilian never considers the physical hardship consumers, but to quench the USʼs farm labourers have to endure on this constant thirst for energy. supposed path to development, More importantly, one must under- “[In Brazil] almost 80% of sugar stand that the USʼs quest for renew- cane is cut by hand. Sources and able energy sources is aimed at coun- studies made by Brazilian researchers tering any potential threat of loss to oil affirm that a sugarcane cutter, a piece- supplies due to instability in major oil work laborer, must produce no less producing regions. than twelve tons in order to meet basic This was illustrated in January 2006 needs. This worker needs to perform when Bush proclaimed that the US was 36,630 flexing movements with his “addicted to oil”, and that this posed a legs, make small trips 800 times “national security problem” because it carrying 15 kilos of cane in his arms is “often imported from unstable parts and walk 8,800 meters in his chores. of the world”. He loses an average of 8 liters of water every day” Enter the revolution “Even though the established norm Following the US-Brazil cooperation for a working day is from 8 in the announcement, Cubaʼs Fidel Castro morning until 5 in the afternoon, this released a series of three articles type of piece-work cane cutting tends concerning the expanding biofuel to go on for a 12 hour working day. industry, and the potential impact on The temperature will at times rise to world food sources. Castro predicted 45 degrees centigrade by noon”, says that up to three billion people could Castro face starvation and lack of water as a The reality is, and Bush has result of biofuel demand. Venezuelaʼs confirmed this by his refusal to coun- Hugo Chavez followed suit, echoing tenance lowering tariffs on ethanol Castroʼs concerns at an energy summit Bio-fuel sells alongside regular petrol in a Brazilian petrol station imports, that unequal economic trade in April 2007. Chavez pointed out that relations will continue. The South will greater production of ethanol could stomachs go empty.” produced from foodstuffs like corn, quences for the less economically be trapped into producing agricul- drastically reduce the amount of fertile Along with Brazil, palm plantations wheat or rapeseed. They can be used developed parts of the world, including tural products with low and shrinking land allocated to produce food. in Colombia will need to expand to instead of petrol in cars are being Brazil and he cites academic Atilio profit rates while corporations in the Although this split in energy policy meet the demand for biodiesel and the promoted by the US government as a Borón, a vocal opponent of the plan. North dominate in the parts of the has reached a cross-road, Venezuela food industry. single solution to two problems. Borón calculates that it will be the process where profits are highest. The and Brazil continue to cooperate on The debate over alternatives to oil Firstly, they say it is an environmen- South that produces the foodstuffs to downward pressure on profits in the energy initiatives, with Chavez stating has thus been restricted to power and tally friendly alternative to petrol due provide fuel for the North diverting South will be felt most sharply by the that ethanol “is important in light of transport, and has ignored the corpora- to its lower carbon emissions. Also, by food desperately needed for human workers. the world energy crisis.” tions that control these industries, and reducing their dependence on dimin- consumption towards bio-fuels leaving There are also question marks over Venezuela is promoting itself as their desire to protect profit. ishing oil reserves from politically millions and millions of already bio-fuelsʼ green credentials given that leader of a continental energy alliance, If this continues unabated, we could unstable parts of the world the use of hungry people literally starving, land and water are polluted in the and already distributes to struggling soon be left with a barren area of land bio-fuels will increase their national “The total agricultural land of the process while deforestation would economies. Meanwhile, however, known formerly as the Amazon. security. European Union is barely sufficient to probably occur to make more land Brazilʼs President Lula is struggling to We must challenge the control of President Bush has announced plans cover 30% of their current needs for available for production. meet the promises it made nearly five big business, and the Westʼs attempt to reduce petrol usage by 20% in ten fuel but not their future needs that will Fidel Castro raises many important years ago to maintain a grip on the developing years. 35 billion gallons of bio-fuels probably be greater.” issues in the biofuels debate that are worldʼs markets. Seeking alternatives will be needed to take up the excess “In the United States, the satisfac- shared by many politicians, academics The good, the bad and the ugly to oil does not necessarily engender demand and Bush has held meet- tion of their current demand for fossil and environmentalists. The fact he is The excitement over biofuels has ʻethicalʼ progression. To a money- ings with US ethanol producers and fuels would require the use of 121 physically strong enough to make them masked the human and environmental hungry fuel industry, ethics mean automobile manufacturers to forge a percent of all their agricultural land for will no doubt irritate Bush and his costs of such enormous production. very little. strategy to achieve the goal. agrifuels [...] Consequently, the supply allies in the North and the South. June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America The energy debate 19 Biofuels Green imperialism Threat to food sovereignty

Gerardo Cerdas Vega*

he 6th Hemispheric Meeting necessary to generate this volume of of Struggle Against Free ethanol, the weight will fall on Brazil. Trade Agreements and for This supposes a colossal diversion and the Integration of the Peoples squandering of food resources to fill inT Havana held an important panel. the tanks of motor vehicles, not the The panellists were Francisca stomachs of people. Rodríguez (Chile, Asociación Nacional Another sensitive topic is that of de Mujeres Rurales e Indígenas - the latifundio [huge estate]. The lands National Association of Rural and are being occupied more and more by Indigenous Women), Maria Luisa transnationals. In the case of Brazil, Mendonça (Brasil, Red Social por la lands to sow soya, sugar cane and other Justicia y los Derechos Humanos - mono-crops are even being sold by Social Network for Justice and Human Internet. This signifies the expulsion of Rights), and Horacio Martins (Brasil, thousands of campesina and indigenous Movimiento de Trabajadores sin Tierra families, in favour of capitalist accumu- - Landless Workers Movement). lation. This ʻgreen imperialismʼ brings The massive production of agri- devastation to the land, especially to the fuels threatens to set Latin America on Amazon rain forest and the savannah; the road to productive, environmental, “it is believed that within 30 years all social and cultural devastation. the Brazilian savannah will be under Maria Luisa Mendonça recalled that agri-fuel production, contaminating the majority of wars in recent centuries water sources”, Martins affirmed. have been closely related to the control International geopolitics demands of energy sources. A central theme in social stability in Brazil, signifying US foreign policy today is the preoc- greater repression and social control cupation that its own oil resources towards the movements struggling for have only 10 to 15 years of useful the land and its resources, such as the life, added to which they are very Movimiento de los Sin Tierra (MST), concerned about the growing compe- who demand the rights of more than 8 tition between economic blocs such as million campesina families. China for access to fossil fuels. So, the urgency and aggression Precarious labour and slavery: the with which the US is pressing for the brutal face of mono-crops massive production of agri-fuels in Maria Luisa Mendonça explained that Latin America is due to the energy agri-fuels rely on a scenario of labour requirements of its industrial struc- conditions that are extremely precar- ture, and a population with its over- ious to the point of slavery. In mono- blown consumption patterns. Global cropping sugar cane, for example, energy consumption is concentrated the contract regime is based on the in the privileged sectors, the industries exploitation of a cheap labour force, and population groups with greater with extremely low wages and high economic power, so that the whole of risks at work. The Ministry of Work in humanity pays a high cost for a few São Paulo says that sugar is bathed in million people. blood: in 2005 alone 400 deaths were The massive production of agri- registered in the cane industry, caused fuels follows the historic pattern: since by accidents with con machines, fires, the colonial period the great oligar- heart attacks due to exhaustion, skin chies have handed over for nothing cancer related with the use of agri- our energy sources (coal, oil, , gas, chemicals, and so on. hydroelectricity ) to the central capi- On the other hand, work slavery is talist countries. The current phase is a a reality in the ingenio [sugar-mill] continuation of the neo-colonial project model of production. In 2006 the of those powers. Public Ministry took 74 mills to court Horacio Martins located the prob- extracted from the land: environmental recuperation and defence of traditional there is a ferocious dispute for the in São Paulo alone for holding dozens lematic of agri-fuels in the framework damage and harm to campesino, indig- knowledge and foods, the preservation control of some 150 million hectares of men and women workers as slaves, of contemporary capitalism, which is enous and afro populations that have of their seeds and ancestral cropping of cultivable land in Amazonia, without contracts, without protec- both monopolistic and transnational, in been expelled from their lands by the methods. exclusively destined for plantations to tive tools, living in precarious dwell- which finance capital seeks control and big agri-fuel consortiums. produce the raw materials for ethanol. ings, without adequate food, without which ignores its effects on the envi- The campesino, indigenous and The avalanche of The world Food and Agriculture water, without being able to escape and ronment , communities and on social afro organisations have identified ʻgreen imperialismʼ Organisation FAO estimates that within obliged to pay enormous debts to their structure. The discussion on the energy the magnitude of the danger posed to According to Horacio Martins agri- the next 15 to 20 years, agri-fuels will bosses. crisis and the urgency to find new them by agri-fuel production, and the fuel production demands control of supply 25% of world energy consump- sources relies on the same basic model economic interests and capital move- the land, water and many other natural tion. The production of ethanol is What is to be done against this of energy production and consumption, ments behind them, what it means for resources, that means that the agricul- controlled by Brazil and the US, who reality? that makes energy a predatory industry their existence and autonomy as people tural areas of the whole world are being between them produce 60% of the The platform speakers emphasised that sacrifices the cultural and natural and nations, and media manipulation subject to savage disputes. current world total of 58 billion litres. the need to unite forces at every level wealth of a good part of humanity. to which they are being subjected. The The growth of agri-fuel produc- It is estimated that in 2010, 70 billion (local, national, international) to false argument of the environmental tion not only spells desertification and litres of ethanol will be produced, generate alternatives to the dominant Agrifuels and food sovereignty contribution of this energy source, impoverishment, but in promoting consumed mostly in the United States – energy model, models oriented to the Francisca Rodríguez pointed out that gives the agri-fuels producers greater single crop monoculture is a danger for the country with more than 40% of the right to food sovereignty, territory and the massive production of agri-fuels is acceptance by rural sectors that tradi- biodiversity and food sovereignty for cars in the world -, Japan and Europe. the survival of the peoples; models a direct threat to the rights of the people tionally oppose the devastating effects millions of people. By 2030, ethanol will be mixed up that will guarantee human survival by to food sovereignty. She rejected the of development models such as this. Martin referred to the production of to 30% with fossil fuels, and to meet surpassing capitalist forms of produc- use of the term ʻbio-fuelsʼ, because the So, afro, campesino and indigenous ethanol in Brazil and projections for the this production will have to have tion for more democratic and inclusive use of the prefix ʻbioʼ attempts to give communities have enormous chal- next 25 years, adding that this experi- increased to 260 billion litres. Given forms. a positive sense, hiding the damage lenges confronting them, such as their ence will mark out the future of other that the United States is not disposed to *Grito de los Excluidos (Cry of the caused by the production of fuels struggles for the right to territory, the Latin American countries. In Brazil produce on its own territory the grains Excluded) 20 Culture Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 Reviews Colombia Film Music

trained death squads in El Salvador. Perhaps the fi lmʼs strongest message comes in interviews with US opera- An interview with John Pilger tives who are not only arrogant but wilfully deny the human rights conse- quences of their sordid trade. Former CIA agent Duane Claridge wins the competition for brutishness, “Pinochet fi xed the country...donʼt give me Truth Commissions! Theyʼre just propa- ganda mills!” Remember this man, when Pilger demands to know by what right “you do what you do”, Claridgeʼs answer is unrepentant, “national secu- rity interests”, of the US, naturally. The War on Democracy Boliviaʼs story is told by the parish John Pilger, 2007 priest and taxi driver to the people of 94 mins, Lionsgate Films El Alto, the highest city in the world. He weeps as he remembers the scores ohn Pilger introduces us to of dead laid out in his church for Venezuela framed as part of a daring to protest gas privatisation, and continental struggle between two has painted a mural in their honour. views of democracy. The fi lm Pilger captures the great optimism Jopens with a sequence of US leaders of the renewal of popular struggle. But – a young Richard Nixon in Guatemala, does his fi lm give a conceptual map to George Bush senior on El Salvador and understand current developments? then George W Bush – proclaiming Without over complicating matters, the virtues of propertied democracy. I think there are three areas that the Against this backdrop of bloody inter- viewer should investigate to get a Solidarity vention we go to the leafy suburbs of clearer orientation. The fi rst really Caracas, and on to the contrasting is a yawning omission to the fi lm on picturesque but desperately poor moun- its own terms, and that is the US led Shop tainside clinging barrios. The class war on democracy in Colombia. Today polarisation in Venezuela is the latest Colombia is central both to the grand stage of the decades-long war over the narrative of Latin America, and very future of Latin America, and what type specifi cally a threat to progressive of democracy serves it best. gains in Venezuela (Uribeʼs govern- The fi lm interweaves discussion ment is in profound tension with the with Hugo Chávez with cuts to rank Chávez project). and fi le chavista militants, and onto Secondly, we need to look at Ali Primera the rich who are preparing their escape Europeʼs renewed role in imposing route to Miami. Mariela Machado neoliberalism, that savage form of a community activist from La Vega capitalism brought in on the back of explains that before Chávez the barrio Pinochetʼs coup. was literally invisible. On offi cial Today it is European, and espe- Ali Primera: maps the zone was just blocked out cially British, multinationals that in green, but Chavez government has are profi ting the most in Chile and made new maps, she explains. This Bolivia. The word missing from theme of hitherto invisible people offi cial accounts is not then just the realising their rights is reinforced with Empire of one power (the US), but Solidarity in song glimpses of community meetings and imperialism as a system that divides missiones where the excluded learn to the world, and benefi ts European n Venezuela today the widespread Alí Primera is considered by many In 1978 Primera founded the read. corporations as much as US ones. We popularity of the singer/song- Venezuelans to be the countryʼs Committee for the Unity of the Pilger highlights the failed golpe de should be anti-imperialist rather than writer Alí Primera (1942-85) and fi rst and greatest artist of the nueva People (CUP), an organisation which estado in April 2002, when privately simply anti-Bush, or anti-US. his songs is evident in many ways: canción (new song) movement. New worked to overcome sectarianism owned television sought to delegiti- And it is important for viewers to Iin murals which depict a bearded man Song emerged in Latin America in and to create links of solidarity mise and overthrow Chávez. Much of know there are tensions within the with ʻAfroʼ hair and a traditional four- the 1960s when, following the Cuban between all leftist parties through this follows ground already trod by the popular camp. The fi lm only hints stringed guitar (cuatro) in his hands; in Revolution, artists and intellectuals uniting of people around cultural excellent The Revolution Will Not be at the dramas between the resurgent lyrics painted on bridges and walls and throughout the region began to meet events. Primera combined elements Televised. What Pilger adds is accounts social movements and the new left quoted by Venezuelans in everyday and discuss the role culture could play of Marxism, Liberation Theology from the people of the barrios, telling governments. Is it enough that the poor conversation; at rallies and demonstra- in effecting revolutionary change in and the philosophy of Simón Bolívar why they came down from the hills should have dignity? Will the poor tions where the pubic collectively sing their societies. with popular wisdom to create a revo- to converge on Mirafl ores Palace and always be with us, or must their revolt his songs; at street stalls where bootleg In the early 1970s, new song artists, lutionary, anti-imperialist ideology ensure the return of their president. continue until they have overthrown CDs and amateur recordings of his who married socially-committed which he communicated via his songs. Popular power defeated the alliance the conditions of their poverty? We live performances are sold on DVD; in lyrics to local folkloric musical Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, between big business, the US and the can defend popular revolution while studentsʼ and workersʼ organisations styles, proclaimed that only through Primera faced increasing persecu- generals who used the mass media as admitting to its contradictions, indeed named for him; on ʼAlo Presidente, the learning to value their own cultures, tion from State authorities who their weapon. such shading brings us closer to the Sunday afternoon state TV programme rich and complex blends of the Euro- perceived him as a ʻsubversiveʼ. He The focus broadens to histor- reality and dilemmas. in which Chávez frequently quotes Hispanic, the indigenous and the reported attempts on his life, and on ical overview starting with the US In this story of heroes and villains, Primera and sings his songs. African, would citizens become suffi - 16 February 1985 Primera was killed defeating land reform in Guatemala Pilgerʼs partisanship is on the side of Primera was born into rural poverty ciently liberated to imagine a true by a vehicle colliding with his. and losing out to Fidelʼs victorious the oppressed: their humanity, endur- in the harsh, wind-swept Paraguaná social, political and economic revo- Many Venezuelans see Primera as a revolution in Cuba (although here too ance and as yet unfulfi lled capacity. peninsula. His father was killed when lution. In a country where governing martyr. Chávez articulates a concern there are some debts, this time to the His optimism is a welcome antidote to he was only three years old. The young elites viewed the African and indig- with the recovery and affi rmation BBCʼs Cold War in Latin America). the usual cynicism, he is surely right Alí worked as a bootblack and a boxer enous majority populations and their of a national cultural identity which Pilgerʼs treatment of Chile is well to champion the alternative democ- to help support his family. The town cultural practices as ʻinferiorʼ and was repressed or ignored by previous done. Through the recollections of racy in the making. Moreover, Pilger where he spent much of his child- ʻprimitiveʼ, and where offi cial policy governments, and in 2005, on the Roberto Navarette, who as an eighteen succeeds well in communicating the hood, Punto Fijo, was built around the encouraged the ʻwhiteningʼ of the twentieth anniversary of Primeraʼs year old medical student was amongst central message that the US War on foreign-owned oil refi nery, Amuay, race and the imitation/importation death, the artist was offi cially recog- those tortured in the national stadium, Democracy is not ended, but passing whose employees lived in luxury of Anglo-European cultural models, nised as part of the nationʼs cultural and other survivors we get a chilling into a new phase. Duane Claridge has while Primeraʼs family, and many the very sight and sound of local heritage. sense of Pinochetʼs fascist dictator- not gone away, the goons are getting others, struggled to get by in virtual folkloric instruments communicated Ali Primeraʼs music forms part of ship. Kissinger is shown to be what ready to do it again. Active solidarity segregation in the barrios. Primera a powerful message of resistance to the soundtrack for John Pilgerʼs new he is, a shameless liar who denied US with peopleʼs democracy is the vital attributed his political activism to elite rule and affi rmation of identity fi lm ʻWar on Democracyʼ. complicity in the coup. The pattern conclusion the fi lm invites us to draw. these early experiences of poverty for the marginalised and impover- is repeated with witnesses of the US Andy Higginbottom and social injustice. ished masses. Hazel Marsh June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America John Pilger 21 InterviewColombia War on democracy An interview with John Pilger Pablo Navarrete

This interview first appeared at been higher, business has never been Venezuelanalysis.com and is repro- better. What the rich no longer own duced with the authorʼs permission. is the government. And when the majority own the economy, true inde- ohn Pilger is an award-winning pendence will be in sight. Thatʼs true journalist, author and documen- everywhere. tary filmmaker, who began his career in 1958 in his homeland, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, JAustralia, before moving to London in John Negroponte, recently called the 1960s. He has been a foreign corre- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez spondent and a front-line war reporter, “a threat to democracy” in Latin beginning with the Vietnam War in America. What are you views on this? 1967. He is an impassioned critic of foreign military and economic adven- This is Orwellian, like “war is tures by Western governments. peace.” Negroponte, whose record of “It is too easy,” Pilger says, “for overseeing Washingtonʼs terrorism in Western journalists to see humanity in Central America is infamous, is right terms of its usefulness to ʻourʼ inter- about Hugo Chavez in one respect. ests and to follow government agendas Chavez is a “threat” – heʼs the threat that ordain good and bad tyrants, of an example to others that independ- worthy and unworthy victims and ence from Washington is actually present ʻourʼ policies as always benign possible. when the opposite is usually true. Itʼs the journalistʼs job, first of all, to look President Chavez talks about building in the mirror of his own society.” “socialism of the 21st Century” in Pilger also believes a journalist ought Venezuela. To what extent do you think to be a guardian of the public memory this project is different to the socialist and often quotes Milan Kundera: “The experiences in the twentieth century? struggle of people against power is the the United States and is set also in struggle of memory against forget- Guatemala and Nicaragua. It tells the In the time I spent with Chavez, ting.” story of “Americaʼs backyard,” the what struck me was how unselfcon- In a career that has produced more dismissive term given to all of Latin sciously he demonstrated his own than 55 television documentaries, The America. It traces the struggle of indig- developing political awareness. I War on Democracy is Pilgerʼs first enous people first against the Spanish, was intrigued to watch a man who major film for the cinema. He spent then against European immigrants who is as much an educator as a leader. several weeks filming in Venezuela reinforced the old elite. Our filming He will arrive at a school or a water and The War on Democracy contains was concentrated in the barrios where project where local people are gath- an exclusive interview with Venezuelan the continentʼs “invisible people” live ered and under his arm will be half President Hugo Chavez. in hillside shanties that defy gravity. It a dozen books – Orwell, Chomsky, tells, above all, a very positive story: Dickens, Victor Hugo. Heʼll proceed Could you begin by telling us what your that of the rise of popular social move- to quote from them and relate them to new film ʻThe War on Democracyʼ is ments that have brought to power the condition of his audience. What about? governments promising to stand up to heʼs clearly doing is building ordi- those who control national wealth and nary peopleʼs confidence in them- I happened to watch George Bushʼs to the imperial master. Venezuela has selves. At the same, heʼs building second inauguration address in which taken the lead, and a highlight of the his own political confidence and he pledged to “bring democracy to film is a rare face-to-face interview his understanding of the exercise of the world.” He mentioned the words with President Hugo Chavez whose power. I doubt that he began as a “democracy” and “liberty” twenty one own developing political conscious- John Pilger in Venezuela Pablo Navarrete socialist when he won power in 1998 times. It was a very important speech ness, and sense of history (and good – which makes his political journey because, unlike the purple prose of humour), are evident. The film inves- been described as the U.S.ʼ backyard. serting its independence. Do you all the more interesting. Clearly, previous presidents (Ronald Reagan tigates the 2002 coup dʼetat against How important is Latin America for agree with this? he was always a reformer who paid excluded), he left no doubt that he was Chavez and casts it in a contemporary the U.S. in the global context? respect to his impoverished roots. stripping noble concepts like “democ- context. It also describes the differ- Yes, I agree. Itʼs humbling for Certainly, the Venezuelan economy racy” and “liberty” of their true ences between Venezuela and Cuba, Latin Americaʼs strategic impor- someone coming from prosperous today is not socialist; perhaps itʼs on meaning – government, for, by and of and the shift in economic and political tance is often dismissed. Thatʼs Europe to witness the poorest taking the way to becoming something like the people. power since Chavez was first elected. because it is so important. Read Greg charge of their lives, with people rarely the social economy of Britain under I wanted to make a film that illumi- In Bolivia, the recent, tumultuous past Grandinʼs recent, excellent history (I asking, as we in the West often ask, the reforming Attlee Labour govern- nated this disguised truth -- that the is told through quite remarkable testi- interview him in the film) in which “What can I do?” They know what to ment. He is probably what Europeans United States has long waged a war on mony from ordinary people, including he makes the case that Latin America do. In Cochabamba, Bolivia, the popu- used to be proud to call themselves: democracy behind a facade of propa- those who fought against the piracy has been Washingtonʼs “workshop” for lation barricaded their city until they a social democrat. Look, this game ganda designed to contort the intellect of their resources. In Chile, the film developing and honing and rewarding began to take control of their water. of labels is pretty pointless; he is an and morality of Americans and the rest looks behind the mask of this appar- its imperial impulses elsewhere. For In El Alto, perhaps the poorest city original and he inspires; so letʼs see of us. For many of your readers, this ently modern, prosperous “model” example, when the US “retreated” on the continent, people stood against where the Bolivarian project goes. is known. However, for others in the democracy and finds powerful, active from Southeast Asia, where did its a repressive regime until it fell. This True power for enduring change can West, the propaganda that has masked ghosts. In the United States, the testi- “democracy builders” go to reclaim is not to suggest that complete inde- only be sustained at the grassroots, Washingtonʼs ambitions has been mony of those who ran the “back- their “vision”? Latin America. The pendence has been won. Venezuelaʼs and Chavezʼs strength is that he has entrenched, with its roots in the inces- yard” echo those who run that other result was the murderous assaults on economy, for example, is still very inspired ordinary people to believe sant celebration of World War Two, the backyard, Iraq; sometimes they are Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala, much a “neo-liberal” economy that in alternatives to the old venal order. “good war”, then “victory” in the cold the same people. Chris Martin (my and the darkness of “Operation continues to reward those with capital. We have nothing like this spirit in war. For these people, the “goodness” fellow director) and I believe “The Condor” in the southern cone. This The changes made under Chavez Britain, where more and more people of US power represents “us”. Thanks War on Democracy” is well timed. was Ronald Reaganʼs “war on terror”, are extraordinary – in grassroots canʼt be bothered to vote any more. to Bush and his cabal, and to Blair, We hope people will see it as another which of course was a war of terror that democracy, health care, education Itʼs a lesson of hope, at the very least. the scales have fallen from millions way of seeing the world: as a meta- provided basic training for those now and the sheer uplifting of peopleʼs ʻThe War on Democracyʼ was of eyes. I would like “The War on phor for understanding a wider war on running the Bush/Cheney “long war” lives – but true equity and social released in UK cinemas on Friday 15 Democracy” to contribute something democracy and the universal struggle in the Middle East and elsewhere. justice and freedom from corruption June. to this awakening. of ordinary people, from Venezuela to remain distant goals. Venezuelaʼs The film is about the power of Vietnam, Palestine to Guatemala. Noam Chomsky recently said that well-off complain endlessly that their For more info visit: empire and of people. It was shot after five centuries of European economic power has been diminished; www.johnpilger.com or in Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, and As you say, Latin America has often conquests, Latin America was reas- it hasnʼt; economic growth has never www.warondemocracy.net 22 Frontline Latin America June-August 2007 Letters Activities nicaragua solidarity campaign Dear Frontline Latin America,

In February 2007 I interviewed William Rodriguez who was on a speaking tour of Britain. William was for twenty years a janitor in the World Trade Centre Papers for all in New York. On 11 September 2001 he was the last man pulled alive from the rubble. Decorated by George Bush Jake Lagnado reports on historic of 1,200 Home Office ʻenforcersʼ. signs. for his heroism he was one of those migrant worker protest in London Identity cards for foreign nationals To cite just two examples: the Noone victims of 9/11 who campaigned for a amidst increasing repression in Britain, as well as biometric visas, Is Illegal Trade Union Conference in full enquiry. He raises many disturbing are also proposed. It is predicted that March heard how several union leaders questions about that day which found n the last issue of FLA we reported these measures will leave thousands had helped prevent the deportation him in the basement as the first plane on the unionization of migrant of undocumented workers even more of a Biafran asylum seeker (www. hit. As he says “how could a jetliner workers in London, and the link open to blackmail by their superiors, noii.org.uk). And latino cleaners at hit 90 floors above and reduce a manʼs between this and the march last or literally out on the street. If some Londonʼs universities have started to arms and face to a crisp in the basement IOctober calling for ʻPapers for Allʼ. version of the StC proposal does ever link up with on-site unions covering below within seconds of impact?” (See Since then, bank holiday Monday 7 get passed it could well be tied to such faculty and staff. However, workplace 911keymaster.com). May saw the largest ever participation measures. raids and deportations are still not I understand that you are Puerto of Londonʼs Latin American work- Even by itself the limited amnesty met with an adequate response. Rican? force in a political protest, as part of proposed by Strangers into Citizens The groups who came together to Correct. The history of Puerto Rico the union, religious and community contains conditions which are highly organize the 7 October march have is simple. We were a Spanish colony groups that took part in the march problematic from the point of view therefore recently proposed a Papers and in 1898 we were taken over as war for an ʻamnestyʼ for undocumented of working class organization. The For All coalition based on the original booty by the United States. We donʼt workers called for by the faith-based demand for an employerʼs reference key principles of: have the right to vote for the President civic alliance Strangers into Citizens. would have workers who qualify -Regularisation for all migrants. although we have US citizenship. We It was certainly a historic moment as scared to organize for fear of not No one is illegal. are second class citizens. migrant workers and their supporters getting the reference. The demand -The closure of all detention centres, After 9/11 you helped to coordi- filled Trafalgar Square. for fluent English is unrealistic given and an end to all deportations usa no way nate solidarity for victims of Hispanic The marchers raised a wide variety the ghettoized and time-consuming -Full labour rights for all workers, origin? of slogans, but the official Strangers nature of low paid illegal work. And independently of their migration men’s t-shirt. I campaigned for an amnesty so that into Citizens proposal for an ʻearnedʼ the 4 year residency rule would leave status. Listed are Cuba, El Salvador, those affected could get compensa- amnesty is worryingly tied to a tight- those with less time in the country -End the apartheid system of Mexico, Grenada, Nicaragua, tion. Federal compensation was only ening of immigration controls. In this open to greater persecution from benefits, healthcare, housing and Chile, Venezuela, Panama, for those with US citizenship. The respect it is like the amnesty currently the Home Office exploitation by legal representation, and the policy of Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia Department of Justice kept saying that being proposed by President Bush employers. destitution for asylum seekers whose and Honduras. Olive green, there was no help for immigrants. We in the US. Under Bushʼs proposal, There is certainly space then for a cases have been refused. were able to get an amnesty. It was the these tighter controls must be in principled migrant rights movement -Official recognition of rape as organic, fairtrade cotton. S, first time in history that a US Federal place well before an amnesty takes which supports an amnesty without torture and persecution. M, L, XL programme gave help to non US citi- effect. Here in Britain, a Home such exclusions, and brings together Members of such groups as Justice £16.50 incl. p&p. zens. Office Consultation Paper issued in existing campaigns on different for Cleaners, RMT, No Borders, Latin I understand that you have recently May entitled Prevention of Illegal fronts. American Workers Association, No been in Venezuela? Working would be the bedrock of Given the focus of the Home Sweat and Latin American Community usa no way I went to Venezuela in September such increased controls. Officeʼs current proposals on working, Association, who together organized women’s t-shirt 2006 and someone claiming to be from In the Minister for Immigrationʼs the strength of such a movement will Octoberʼs march, now seek to build (slightly more fitted). the US FBI came to my hotel and ques- words, the Consultation Paper seeks depend to a great extent on the organ- this coalition. Shocking pink on navy blue. tioned the workers in the hotel. They support for measures designed to ization of migrant workers and the For further information Organic, fairtrade. Size 10, called me downstairs and said “listen, ʻflush illegal migrants outʼ. These solidarity shown to them. Apart from and to get involved write to this guy came and showed a badge and measures include forcing employers initiatives like Justice for Cleaners, [email protected] (English) or 12, 14, 16. said he was an FBI agent”. So I felt to carry out more checks through commented on in the last issue, there latin_americanworkers@hotmail. £16.50. afraid enough that I went on television stiffer penalties and the appointment have been some further positive com (Spanish). and said what had happened. Then I got a call from the Palace in Caracas and solidarity mug I met with Nicolas Maduro the former Text reads: USA Hands Off President of the National Assembly Latin America: Nicaragua, (he is now the Chancellor of Foreign Tabaco Community Handicrafts Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba. Relations) and he said the reason why £6.50 incl. p&p. we have contacted you is because we believe your story, we know who Beautiful, brightly coloured hand-woven comes in and out of the country and we cotton shoulder-bags made by people PAY ONLINE have identified that FBI agent. So we www.nicaraguasc.org.uk/ are going to give you 5 bodyguards in from the village of Tabaco, displaced by OR BY PHONE order to protect you because we donʼt the Cerrejon mine in Colombia. 020 7272 9619 want anything to happen to you and (Visa or Mastercard) for us to be blamed for it, because your OR BY POST government could do a hit on you and Wording on bags commemorates the (cheques payable to NSC) blame it on us. A senior representative of the forced removals of 9 August 2001. Venezuelan government said to you Available in blue, turquoise, pink, brown Please send me (state item, size & that the US government might do a hit number) ...... on you and the Venezuelan government or maroon. Large: £25 including p&p; offered to protect you? small, £20 including p&p. All proceeds go ...... They felt that if they did a hit on me to the people of Tabaco. TOTAL £______they would try to blame Venezuela for NAME ...... it. Are you aware that in Colombia the Also available: friendship bracelets (available in ADDRESS...... US and the government of Colombia green, blue, yellow, red) 50p each; carved gourd- ...... have been involved in terrorist activi- work £2 per item...... ties for a very long time? Cheques to; ...... Itʼs not a surprise. The whole of Latin Colombia Solidarity Campaign, Box 8446, London America has gone to the left because of N17 6NZ. the policies which the United States has Nicaragua Solidarity imposed. Here is just a fed up continent Inquiries [email protected] Campaign, 129 Seven that wants to govern themselves but the Sisters Rd, London N7 7QG US doesnʼt seem to agree. Martin Summers [email protected] June-August 2007 Frontline Latin America Get involved 23 www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk Activities Branch Reports Oxford Solidarity BP victims win out of Following the contributions from José Julio Perez and Armando Perez (from Colombia Solidarity Campaign is the Tabaco Community Relocation Colombiaaffiliated toSolidarity the European Campaign Network is Committee) at the day school on affiliatedof Friendship to the European and Solidarity Network LatinaAmerica on 3 February, Oxford court settlement ofwith Friendship Colombia and, Solidaritywhich has witheleven Trades Council voted to set up a Tabaco Matthew Stiles affiliatesColombia, in which Spain hasand eleven ten from affili other- Appeal Fund to help buy a computer atescountries. in Spain For and more ten frominformation other : and improve communication. Oxon decade of struggle by the displaced. Crucial water systems while those with larger farms and countries.http://www.redcolombia.org/ For more information UNISON-Health branch immedi- peasant communities of supplying the farms were also higher income received the most. look up http://www.redcolombia. ately contributed £500 and published Zaragoza and Segovia destroyed. As a mark of community strength, a report in its monthly magazine, The in north-east Antioquia, Campaigners were labelled guerrilla some farmers joined together to Organiser. Colombia,A finally achieved some sympathisers and consequent threats, provide financial help to the poorest, A delegation of Oxon trade unionists justice when BP agreed an out-of-court intimidation and violence - including thereby partially alleviating the lack lobbied the New Labour Oxford East settlement with them in July 2006. the murder of Jhon Kennedy Morales, of compensation. MP Andrew Smith about the very close A multi-national consortium called a farmer and community leader - led For others the struggle for compen- Theorg/ Colombia Solidarity Campaign links between the Colombian govern- OCENSA, led by BP, had constructed to dozens of families abandoning sation was worthwhile. The settle- is an anti-imperialist organisation, ment and the paramilitaries and the an oil pipeline in 1995 from the their lands. ment enabled some peasant farmers to campaigning for a socially just and fact that these made the current British oilfields of Casanare to the port of With help from Colombia move from highly impoverished areas sustainable peace in Colombia based support indefensible. Far from buying Coveñas, passing through Zaragoza Solidarity Campaign, the inhabitants to better housing. on respect for the human rights and influence to improve the human rights and Segovia. won support from London law firm Despite this, however, few spoke diversity of the Colombian people. situation, the UK government policy The length of the pipeline is Leigh Day and Co, who negotiated of returning to Zaragoza. “In The Campaign actively opposes of “constructive engagement” only guarded by heavy military - and para- the settlement with BP. Zaragoza, the Army, Police and the PLAN COLOMBIA. Our specific buys carte blanche for British compa- military presence, making it almost Although BP admitted no liability Paramilitaries rule”. In such circum- objectives are: nies to run roughshod on local popula- impossible to determine the scope of the farmers were compensated by stances it was simply too dangerous • to oppose any US, British or tions. The delegation documented our human and environmental problems a calculation based on how much for them to return. foreign military intervention, claims fully. caused by the pipeline. damage had been caused to their land, Therefore while the success of the believing that this will only escalate Disappointingly, when Andrew It is known however that swathes and the potential losses of earnings. campaign is evident, the underlying the problems in Colombia Smith wrote back forwarding the reply of farmland were ruined in Zaragoza This meant that those most in need of situation of immense social injustice • to oppose the policy of fumigation, form the Foreign Office it became and Segovia and many inhabitants sizeable compensation received little remains as deep-rooted as ever. and work for a solution to the coca clear he had asked very generic ques- problem based on the real needs of tions. He also sent the response from the people Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of • to draw attention to the role Anglo American, who claims that the that is played by Multinational Tabaco villagers have been generously Corporations in violating workers compensated, that “Tabaco was not an A continent awakes rights and exploiting both the Afro-Colombian community”, and that John Smith people and the environment of he did not believe that “there have been Colombia dispersals of any indigenous commu- • to draw attention to the horrific nities in the vicinity of the port in the he Sheffield branches of the in opposition to resistance to political It is in the nature of things that human rights situation in Colombia, last 20 years”. We wait to hear back Cuba Solidarity Campaign and military aggression by the United these and other questions could not and that the overwhelming majority from the other joint owners of Cerrejón and Venezuelan Information States, or must it also include, as Andy be resolved. Whatʼs important is that of atrocities can be attributed before giving Andrew Smith some Centre (VIC) organised a Higginbottom (secretary, Colombia they were asked. The great strength of to the action of the army, police, more homework. Must do better. highlyT successful day school on 17 Solidarity) argued, opposition to the the Sheffield dayschool was its delib- Colombian state organisms and Oxford campaigner Pete Bearder is March, attended by around 80 people. economic exploitation of these coun- erate inclusion of different opinions, the paramilitaries, which together currently in Colombia - read his blog Two rounds of workshops examined tries by British and European transna- providing a space for much-needed constitute a policy of Colombian Colombian Social Movements Under the political situation within Cuba, tional corporations? debate on the central questions. state terror Fire at http://www.bearder.com/peter/ Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua • to oppose the criminalisation of Dona Velluti and Venezuela. social protest. Plenary sessions hosted a wide- The Campaign recognises the Latin America Forum Bristol ranging discussion on the strategic collusion between the Colombian challenges facing the revolutionary government, the armed forces and Local activists from Bristol came movements in Latin America and the the paramilitary death squads, and together to organise their second Latin solidarity campaigns in this country. calls for an end to the impunity that America Forum on 10 March, in a There were two overlapping questions. this creates. capacity event that attracted over 150 One concerned the dynamics of the We actively campaign through participants throughout the day. The revolutionary processes in Venezuelan multiple strategies, and give a plat- after-party, featuring Cuban hip-hop and Bolivia: can the existing state appa- form, coordination and support groups Obsesion and Los Paisanos & ratuses in these countries be reformed to Colombian organisations and 16-piece salsa-creole band Orquesta or must they be overthrown? The other individuals working for the above Montpelier, was also a sell-out event concerned the tasks of the solidarity objectives. raising over £1000 for Bristol LA soli- movement in this country. Can they We also support the right of darity groups. be expressed, as Francisco Dominguez Colombian refugees to asylum, and Hosted by the University of Bristol, (member of the national commit- campaign actively to defend them. the LAF brought together local soli- tees of the Cuba Solidarity and VIC) darity campaigns from Colombia, argued, to uniting the broadest layers Mayday in Colombia Paul Haste Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua Colombia Groups alongside knowledgable students and staff alike from the Universities of FLA Office Appeal Join the Colombia Solidarity Campaign! Bristol, Bath and the West of England Bristol contact: for fifteen workshop sessions arranged bristolcolombiasolidarity@gmail. This is the second edition of Frontline Includes free subscription to Frontline Latin America in 3 themes. Latin America produced from our com Split into 3 workshop sessions, office. themed by ʻForeign Intervention and The office will be used by the Liverpool contact: Membership rates as follows: Local Resistanceʼ, ʻArt, Culture and Campaign to improve service to our [email protected] Individuals: waged £15.00, unwaged £7.50, organisations £30/60/120. Identityʼ and ʻSocial Movements and members and take forward long term Solidarityʼ, participants had the oppor- projects. It costs us £5,000 per annum. Mark category of required subscription and return with payment to London contact: tunity to choose from 15 different If you want to make a contribution, ʻColombia Solidarity Campaignʼ with the slip below [email protected] sessions to join in discussions, ranging why not help financially? As well as from popular resistance in Oaxaca individual contributions we encourage Oxford Solidarity for Colombia: (David Broder – No Sweat / Oaxaca supporters to hold fundraising events, Name ox_colombiasolidarity@hotmail. Solidarity) to the violence of capi- cultural or anything that works. co.uk talism in Colombia (Lara Coleman Please send make cheque payable to: Address – Espacio Bristol-Colombia). “Colombia Solidarity Campaign”, For activities in other parts of the Alfredo Toro-Hardy, the write “Office Appeal” on the reverse Tel. email country, contact: Ambassador for Venezuela to the UK, side, and send to: left us with the sense of diversity of Colombia Solidarity Campaign, PO Box 8446, London N17 6NZ [email protected] Colombia Solidarity Campaign, www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk the many struggles of Latin American PO Box 8446, movements. Oliver Edwards London N17 6NZ Junio-Agosto 2007 Frontline Latin America e5 Nuestra América

En el presente año, las denuncias sobre violación de derechos humanos sobre la población civil de Casanare continúan. El 30 de marzo, fueron asesinados campesinos del municipio de Aguazul. Según los habitantes de la zona, miembros de la XVI Brigada del ejército detuvieron a Yefer Mora Ecuador Sanabria de 21 años, William Martínez Suárez de 17 años y Gustavo Mora Sanabria de 16 años. Posteriormente Correa gira hacia un nuevo camino se conoció que las personas detenidas habían sido reportadas por el Gaula Lorna Ramírez como subversivos dados de baja en combate. la fiesta, aquí todo el mundo va a pagar Las transnacionales del petróleo y impuestos, va a respetar el medio la realidad de Casanare hoy. ¿Un ambiente, a sus trabajadores, las leyes cambio de estrategia? del país. Se acabaron los gobiernos entreguistas, eso molesta a algunos y Del paramilitarismo a la seguridad esos son los que nos tratan de deses- democrática. tabilizar”. ¿Cómo explicar que persista esta También es claro que el gobierno situación en un escenario con una ecuatoriano esta direccionando las política de seguridad democrática y internacionales desde la firme deter- desmovilización paramilitar promo- minación de defender la soberanía de vidas por Uribe? En el presente la su país. política de seguridad democrática es Hacia el mes de marzo Correa rati- la política bajo la cuál, a nombre de ficó la decisión de no renovar para el la lucha contrainsurgente, se eliminan 2009 el convenio pactado con Estados líderes sociales y campesinos organi- Unidos 10 años atrás, el cual permite zados que resultan un obstáculo para la operación de fuerzas militares del los intereses transnacionales. De este país extranjero en la base de Manta. modo las desapariciones y masacres Desde su instalación la comunidad del paramilitarismo hasta el 2004 han local y nacional se ha manifestado en dado paso a las ejecuciones extrajudi- contra, al denunciar las cláusulas de ciales a manos del ejército y la fuerza inmunidad que cubre la base, permi- pública. O en otras palabras, la defensa tiendo la impunidad y la violación de del petróleo en la región ha transitado los derechos humanos en casos como del paramilitarismo a la seguridad el hundimiento de barcos pesqueros, democrática. Esto permite concluir el desplazamiento de campesinos, la que la bandera del presidente Uribe prostitución, violencia y acoso sexual constituye menos una política de paci- a mujeres y niñas, la persecución ficación de la nación, y más una estra- a pobladores, la contaminación en tegia para garantizarle un escenario fuentes hídricas y suelos, y la exis- propicio a las transnacionales. tencia de campos de entrenamiento Queda, entonces, preguntarse qué militar y de tiro en áreas pobladas, hacer frente a las formas de operar de constituyendo un alto riesgo para las empresas nacionales como BP y a campesinas y campesinos de la zona. las acciones y omisiones por parte del En cuanto a Colombia, Correa ha estado. Es fundamental enfrentar esta manifestado su rechazo a la inter- problemática desde varios ámbitos. En vención de Colombia en Ecuador, primer lugar se hace preciso continuar La elección de Rafael Correa como tores que buscaron deslegitimar la genas, conservar la biodiversidad bien sea en operaciones militares o investigando las condiciones de opera- presidente de Ecuador ha significado acción democrática, señalando que el y disminuir las emisiones de gases antidrogas. Pese a las múltiples soli- ción petrolera en el Casanare. De la mano repensar las estrategias para construir deseo del presidente era manipular la contaminantes. Tal propuesta, busca citudes de detener las fumigaciones con ello debemos realizar campañas una nación más soberana y con más base de la democracia ecuatoriana. sobreponer los capitales sociales, con glifosato en los cultivos de coca dirigidas a detener el consumo de los dignidad para ecuatorianas y ecuato- Correa explicó como la Asamblea culturales y ambientales, al capital de la frontera, el presidente colom- productos de la BP y a organizar a nues- rianos. Nacional buscaba “una nueva cons- económico, pero a la vez exige una biano Alvaro Uribe, se había negado a tras comunidades para exigir un manejo Con miras a construir este titución que reforme la instituciona- compensación de parte de la comu- suspenderlas o a reconocer los efectos responsable de la economía petrolera. proyecto, el presidente ha anunciado lidad política y el sistema económico nidad internacional por los aportes nocivos para pobladores y medio En otro nivel, es necesario denunciar la nacionalización de recursos, ha para que haya gobernabilidad y al control del cambio climático. Así, ambiente. Pero el pasado 22 de mayo, y juzgar al gobierno colombiano y a la cuestionado la explotación indis- rendición de cuentas, una verdadera Correa ha iniciado una campaña en el relator para la salud de la ONU, BP ante organismos supranacionales criminada del petróleo, y se ha prop- democracia y un sistema económico la Unión Europea, para recibir apoyo concluyó en su informe que “la fumi- y ante la comunidad internacional. El uesto reducir los monopolios que más justo y participativo” aclarando económico: “deben compensar lo gación con glifosato en la frontera está Tribunal Permanente de los Pueblos y controlan los grandes negocios. A la que no intentaba asignarse poderes que tiene valor y no lo que tiene afectando la salud física de los habi- la campaña petrolera que se adelanta vez, en sus relaciones internacionales absolutos. Para los movimientos y precio”, señaló. tantes de Ecuador y a su salud mental”. en Colombia son uno de los escenarios ha sentado una dura posición frente a organizaciones sociales que apoyaron El Plan de Soberanía Energética Finalmente el gobierno colombiano propicios para ello. la presencia militar de los Estados la consulta, la nueva constitución también se está preparando: busca se vio obligado a detener las fumiga- Sin embargo, lo que esta en el Unidos en el país y se ha opuesto ayudará a fundamentar un estado regular la comercialización y abaste- ciones. fondo del debate es el tema de la a las fumigaciones antidrogas de pluriétnico, “con plena soberanía cimiento de combustibles en el sector Además de las decisiones sobre soberanía de los recursos, en el cues- Colombia en la zona fronteriza. económica, territorial, y política, marítimo, como una manera de contra- legislación interna y política externa, tionamiento y denuncia sobre las Pero hay un gran trecho entre que garantice la nacionalización de rrestar el contrabando y la corrup- el gran reto del actual gobierno ecua- políticas de su aprovechamiento y proyectar una nación más soberana los recursos naturales y energéticos, ción causada por el trafico ilegal del toriano es lograr que el proyecto de de concesión a empresas transnacio- y más equitativa, y lograrlo efec- para orientarlos a las necesidades producto. En otro sentido, se está consi- soberanía nacional respete la soberanía nales. Sólo en el momento en que los tivamente. Para Correa está claro del desarrollo del pueblo ecuato- derando la Ley Antimonopolio, con la y autonomía de las comunidades, que colombianos puedan decidir sobre la que es necesario reestructurar el riano”, afirmó la Confederación cual se daría protección a recursos de son las que finalmente hacen nación: extracción, la transformación y el uso sistema político, la legislación sobre de Nacionalidades Indígenas del interés nacional, en los sectores ener- indígenas, campesinas, afroecuato- de sus recursos será posible detener el la protección de los recursos nacion- Ecuador-CONAIE. géticos, de telecomunicaciones y de rianas, mineras... saqueo de los mismos por parte de las ales y los lineamientos de operación Algunas decisiones del manda- construcción, entre otros, tradicional- Hay que ver, por ejemplo, qué transnacionales. de empresas extranjeras, entre otras. tario ecuatoriano durante sus meses mente acaparadas por capitales extran- acciones tomará el gobierno frente al Sólo la nacionalización de recursos En este camino, el primer gran de gobierno, reafirman su proyecto jeros. En tanto las ganancias de estos paro convocado por las comunidades permitirá construir un modelo de proyecto del actual gobierno de soberanía y autonomía nacional. promisorios negocios pertenezcan al mineras de la Provincia de Azuy, para desarrollo que regule el uso del es la elaboración de una nueva El pasado 14 de abril, propuso estado y no a una empresa privada de el 5 de junio. Los mineros artesa- crudo en función de la preservación constitución. La propuesta de detener la explotación de petróleo otro país, traerá mayores beneficios nales rechazan la explotación de la del ambiente, y hará posible detener convocar una Asamblea Nacional en el proyecto ITT (Ishpingo, para la población ecuatoriana. Así lo compañía canadiense IAMGOLD en un conflicto social y armado que con plenos poderes para modificar la Tambacocha, Tiputini), el cual manifestó el mandatario el pasado 26 sus territorios y luchan por la defensa descansa de manera importante en constitución, fue aceptada mediante hace parte de un territorio indí- de mayo, al señalar que el país perdió 1 del agua. Cuatro días después de las inequidades sociales y la sujeción consulta popular por el 78 por ciento gena Yasuni y una reserva de bios- millón de dólares en el último año, por haber iniciado la protesta, los mani- del país a las economías y los poderes de los votantes. Al parecer, no tuvi- fera, con la intención de proteger las malas negociaciones con empresas festantes denunciaban la represión internacionales. eron eco las acciones de los oposi- los derechos de comunidades indí- de telefonía celular: “Aquí se les acabó militar frente a sus acciones. e4 Frontline Latin America Junio-Agosto 2007 Casanare Casanare y la British Petroleum Una historia que es preciso cambiar

Por Manuel Vega y Martín Ayala, miembros de COS-PACC*

Olvido e impunidad han aumentado las ejecuciones extra- denuncias de las comunidades orga- grupo importante de militares perte- ACDAINSO fue creada en 1995 para a historia reciente de judiciales en la zona de explotación nizadas. Dicha estrategia fue bastante necientes a la XIV Brigada estaban ejercer un control social y denunciar Colombia es una historia de petrolera de la BP? El cruce entre la cuestionada. siendo investigados por complicidad las actuaciones de la BP, con el fin olvido e impunidad. En ella, explotación petrolera, la presencia de en una matanza de 15 civiles en la de contrarrestar los impactos de la se han dejado de lado las empresas transnacionales, el parami- La estrategia de seguridad de la localidad de Segovia y por vínculos economía del petróleo. memorias de hombres y mujeres que litarismo y el terrorismo de Estado BP, el paramilitarismo y el papel con organizaciones paramilitares. La Asociación comenzó a recibir L de la fuerza publica en los años 90. creyeron y creen posible una nación colombiano, nos da algunas luces La formación contrainsurgente se amenazas un año después de su justa, equitativa y comunitaria. La sobre el problema. A raíz de la disminución de las financió con dinero que la BP pagó conformación, debido a sus fuertes historia oficial ha permanecido indi- existencias petroleras en Arauca, a la fuerza pública colombiana para exigencias por el cumplimiento de ferente a los crímenes brutales contra El oro negro, o la historia de una los campos de Cusiana y Cupiagua proteger sus negocios. El New York los acuerdos firmados en 1994 con el pueblo. Hoy se repiten violaciones soberanía entregada. fueron ganando una mayor prepon- Times, publicó un informe donde se la empresa BPE. Frente al ejercicio a los derechos humanos que quedan La historia del petróleo en Casanare derancia, concentrando la atención señaló que BP contrató a 500 soldados de soberanía y ciudadanía de la en el olvido y ahora se ocultan bajo inició en 1980 con las exploraciones tanto del gobierno nacional como y 150 oficiales del ejército colombiano Asociación, las organizaciones de la máscara de la política de seguridad en el pozo Cusiana (municipio de de los actores armados (guerrillas, para intensificar y asegurar las insta- autodefensa Convivir de Casanare democrática del presidente Álvaro Tauramena). Hacia 1992 en el yaci- paramilitares, ejército). Como lo laciones petroleras a lo largo del país. , intimidaron a los dirigentes de Uribe Vélez. miento Cupiagua (municipio de denunció Amnistía Internacional en Se estima que BP pago en esos años ACDAINSO. Los ojos de la comu- El departamento del Casanare Aguazul), fue confirmada la exis- 1996, no fue una casualidad que el al rededor de 54 y 60 millones de nidad internacional estaban puestos es ejemplo de la impunidad frente tencia de petróleo en la zona. En auge de la explotación petrolera en dólares para protección privada. En en la región, debido a los asesi- a la eliminación sistemática de la adelante el Casanare iniciaría una Casanare coincidiera con la prolife- el presente, la BP da un bono de 350 natos, atentados, allanamientos y población civil por parte de agentes vertiginosa transformación en su vida ración de grupos paramilitares y de dólares aproximadamente a oficiales detenciones ilegales de dirigentes y estatales, para-estatales y transna- política, económica, social y cultural, seguridad privada financiados por la y suboficiales del ejército colombiano campesinos. cionales. Ubicado en la región de los determinada por la relación entre misma transnacional. por su papel en la protección de la ACDAINSO impulso la realiza- llanos orientales, ha vivido desde empresas transnacionales y Estado, el En efecto, la BP dispuso y patro- infraestructura petrolera. Sorprende ción de varios paros, marchas, foros la década de los noventa los efectos cual poco se interesó en la defensa de cinó la presencia de mercenarios el papel del ejército en la protección y eventos en donde se evidenciaba de la explotación petrolera por parte la soberanía nacional. Enmascarado extranjeros que apoyaban las opera- de intereses privados, por encima de el incumplimiento de los acuerdos de la empresa transnacional British por el rápido desarrollo económico ciones extractivas. Como lo denun- su misión de salvaguardar la sobe- firmados entre la empresa BPE y los Petroleum BP. Es posible enumerar y el crecimiento de la infraestructura cian varias organizaciones sindicales ranía nacional. campesinos. Para finales de 2002, la cientos de desapariciones y ejecu- en la región, se producía un complejo y de derechos humanos “durante el comunidad del Morro realizo un paro ciones extrajudiciales, casos de conflicto social que se basó en el desarrollo de la construcción del e la mano con la operación de 45 días en el que además se reivin- desviación de recursos económicos, despojo territorial y la desarticula- oleoducto, Roger Brown, coronel contra grupos armados, se dicaban aspectos relativos a las condi- atropellos contra la población civil, ción de los procesos sociales de las retirado del Special Army Services llevó a cabo un proceso ciones laborales de trabajadores de impactos en el medio ambiente, comunidades. (SAS) de Inglaterra, figuró como de estigmatización de los BP. Esta labor de denuncia ocasionó la sociedad y la cultura llaneras. presidente en los documentos de la miembros de la población local que nuevas amenaza de dirigentes, y hacia La BP en Casanare. D Movilizar solidaridades y sensibi- compañía. Durante el desarrollo de participaban en protestas legítimas septiembre de 2004, Javier Vargas, lizar conciencias, es el primer paso La empresa British Petroleum la construcción del oleoducto, Brown contra el impacto social y medioam- Fiscal de la organización comuni- para hacer visible la realidad que vive Exploration (BPE) empezó a operar intentó contratar a un grupo de biental causado por las compañías taria, fue asesinado y Fassio Olguín, hoy el departamento de Casanare en en el país en la década de 1920, pero oficiales retirados del Ejército israelí petrolíferas. Luego del señalamiento Tesorero de la misma, sufrió un aten- Colombia. fue hasta 1986 que estableció una para entrenar paramilitares con a los líderes continuó el asesinato, tado del cual salio ileso. El 10 de presencia significativa al adquirir importantes equipos de guerra (heli- amenazas, desapariciones y torturas; mayo de 2005 es asesinado Parmenio Un motivo terrenos en el piedemonte de la cordi- cópteros, armas, uniformes y muni- prácticas que configuran el cuadro Parra presidente de la misma asocia- El 16 de Marzo de este año, la comu- llera oriental, donde firmó contratos ción)”, negociaciones que se vieron de acciones conjuntas de la fuerza ción. Como una extraña coincidencia, nidad del municipio de Aguazul en de concesión con ventajosos benefi- interrumpidas a raíz de la publica- pública, los paramilitares y los grupos en Febrero de 2003 Jorge Guzmán Casanare informó a COS-PACC cios. El pozo de Cusiana comenzó a ción de los hallazgos de la investi- de seguridad privada. representante de la sección de rela- , sobre el asesinato de los campe- ser explotado mediante la asociación gación periodística, en el diario The Las denuncias sobre las viola- ciones con la comunidad de BPE en sinos Daniel Torres Arciniégas de 38 conformada por las empresas British Guardian, en Londres[4] ciones a los derechos humanos por Yopal había expresado estar cansado años de edad y su hijo Roque Julio Petroleum Exploration, Triton, Total Aunque todo ello se dio a conocer, ni parte del ejército colombiano y la con el accionar de ACDAINSO agre- Torres Torres, de tan sólo 16. Según y ECOPETROL. el gobierno nacional, ni la BP tomaron BP en esos años son contundentes gando que esta organización no los informó la Brigada 16 del Ejército de alguna acción efectiva. Otras denun- y provienen de diversas fuentes: en dejaba trabajar en el Morro. A esto se Colombia ellos habían sido dados de ara 1993, la BP contaba cias se elevaron contra la compañía 1998 el Parlamento Europeo condenó sumaron las declaraciones de lugareños baja en medio de un combate, pues con el 19% de la concesión petrolífera, entre ellas la del programa al gobierno colombiano por su permi- de este corregimiento según las cuales se trataba de guerrilleros. Según los de Tauramena, mientras televisivo World in Action emitido en sividad ante la situación ocasionada la BP, la alcaldía Municipal de Yopal habitantes de la región y los familiares ECOPETROL tenía el 50%, el Reino Unido. En este se afirmó que por la petrolera. y la gobernación de Casanare habían de las víctimas, ellos eran dos campe- Pla Total el 19% y Triton el 12%. De la BP había firmado un contrato con El 15 de Febrero de 1999, la Unión decidido acabar con ACDAINSO y sinos reconocidos por la comunidad, otra parte, la BP era dueña del 100% de Defence Systems Limited (empresa Sindical Obrera USO denunció los crear una asociación que respondiera a quienes fueron ejecutados extrajudi- los intereses privados del piedemonte privada de seguridad británica) incumplimientos y componendas sus intereses. cialmente por el Ejército, en lo que en un área localizada al norte de los para impartir cursos de formación en los contratos realizados entre la Frente a los asesinatos sistemá- constituye una clara violación de los campos Cusiana y Cupiagua; el área en técnicas contrainsurgentes a una BP y ECOPETROL, la corrupción ticos, la justicia desviaba su atención derechos humanos. Según cuentan concedida a la empresa comprendía unidad policial encargada de proteger del gobierno colombiano en el trata- de los victimarios a las victimas: la sus familiares, ambos tenían señales unas 600.000 hectáreas. al personal de BP y sus instalaciones miento de la empresa, la violación Fiscalía inicio proceso de investiga- de maltrato –posiblemente tortura– y La operación petrolera de la BP en en Casanare. Al respecto Amnistía de los derechos de los campesinos y ción contra ACDAINSO, acusándola orificios de proyectil en el cráneo: Casanare generó impactos ambien- Internacional manifestó su preocu- trabajadores en la región, los daños de ser manipulada por la guerrilla y habían recibido tiros de gracia. Es tales negativos como la destrucción pación frente a los procedimientos ambientales y la clara relación entre la retirando ilegalmente documentación importante mencionar, que Roque de fuentes de agua, alteraciones del de seguridad empleados por Defence BP, paramilitares, ejercito, empresas de la organización. Julio había sido testigo de una ejecu- ecosistema asociadas a la quema de Systems Colombia (DSC) los cuales de seguridad privada. Ante el exterminio de sus líderes y ción extrajudicial de otro campesino a gas, daños en el suelo ocasionados y pudieran contribuir a cometer viola- la persecución por parte del Estado, manos del ejército colombiano. construcción de carreteras sin plani- ciones de derechos humanos contra El extermino de las organizaciones en julio de 2005 los miembros de En casos como estos surgen nume- ficación. A la vez, la empresa desa- la población civil. La misma organi- sociales ¿Cómo olvidar? ACDAINSO decidieron acabar la rosas preguntas: ¿por qué fueron rrolló una estrategia para enfrentar zación, consideró alarmante el apoyo El caso de ACDAINSO es un organización. En el presente y pese asesinados?, ¿por qué en los asesi- el conflicto sociopolítico de una bélico directo de DSC/OCENSA con ejemplo emblemático de la relación al miedo, la comunidad del Morro natos está involucrado el ejército región signada por la confrontación compra de material militar en 1997 entre la presencia de la transnacional ha intentado rehacer una forma colombiano, encargado de defender de actores armados de izquierda y para la XIV Brigada del ejército BP y la eliminación sistemática de las organizativa: ASOJUNTAS DEL la democracia y la libertad?, ¿por qué derecha, y para protegerse de las colombiano. Para ese momento, un organizaciones sociales en Casanare. CORREGIMIENTO DEL MORRO. Junio-Agosto 2007 Frontline Latin America John Pilger e3 EntrevistaColombia La guerra contra la democracia

Una entrevista con John Pilger Pablo Navarrete

ohn Pilger es un reconocido el gobierno. Y cuando la mayoría periodista, escritor y cineasta controle la economía, la independ- que comenzó su carrera hacia encia verdadera se podrá avizorar. 1958 en su país natal, Australia, Eso es cierto en todas partes. Junos años antes de mudarse a Londres, El Subsecretario de Estado de los Inglaterra, en la década de los 60. EE.UU., John Negroponte, recien- Pilger ha sido corresponsal extranjero temente ha llamado al Presidente y reportero de guerra, desde la guerra venezolano Hugo Chávez ʻʼuna de Vietnam en 1967. Es un crítico amenaza para la democraciaʼʼ en apasionado de las intervenciones mili- América Latina. ¿Cuál es su opinión tares y económicas realizadas por sobre esto? gobiernos occidentales en distintos Éste tiene ribetes Orwellianos, países del mundo. tales como ʻʼguerra es pazʼʼ. “Es demasiado fácil para los peri- Negroponte, quien estuvo super- odistas occidentales –dice Pilger–, visando las acciones terroristas de ver la humanidad en términos de Washington en América Central, su utilidad a «nuestros» intereses tiene razón sobre Hugo Chávez en un y de reportar las agendas de gobi- sentido: Chávez es una ʻʼamenazaʼʼ ernos que determinan quiénes son porque representa un ejemplo para buenos y malos tiranos, quiénes otros de que la independencia de son víctimas dignas e indignas, y Washington es realmente posible. presentar «nuestras» políticas como El Presidente Chávez habla de siempre benignas cuando, en general, construir el ʻʼsocialismo del siglo lo contrario suele ocurrir. El trabajo XXIʼʼ en Venezuela. ¿Hasta que del periodista, ante todo, es mirar en punto cree que este proyecto sea el espejo de su propia sociedad”. diferente de las experiencias social- Pilger también cree que un perio- istas durante el siglo XX? dista debería ser el guardián de la Durante el tiempo que pasé con memoria pública y a menudo cita Chávez me impresionó su falta de a Milan Kundera: “La lucha de la y después la “victoria” en la guerra el tumultuoso pasado reciente se Guatemala, y la tenebrosa Operación pretensión al momento de demos- gente contra el poder es la lucha de fría. Para esta gente, la “bondad” cuenta a través de los testimonios Cóndor en el cono sur. Ésta fue la trar el desarrollo de su propia la memoria contra el olvido”. del poder de los EE.UU. representa impactantes de personas comunes “guerra al terror” de Ronald Reagan, conciencia política. Me cautivó el En una carrera en la que ha produ- a “nosotros”. Gracias a Bush y a y corrientes, incluyendo a quienes la cual, por supuesto, proporcionó el ver a un hombre que es tanto un cido más de 55 documentales para su estirpe, y a Blair, a millones de lucharon contra la piratería de sus entrenamiento básico para quienes educador como un líder político. Por la televisión, La Guerra Contra la personas se les ha caído la venda de recursos. En Chile, la película pone hoy están manejando la “guerra ejemplo, él llegaba a una escuela o Democracia, es el primer docu- ojos. Quisiera que La Guerra Contra la mirada tras la máscara de lo que larga” de Bush y Cheney en el a un proyecto del acueducto donde mental de Pilger hecho para el cine la Democracia contribuyera en algo a pareciera ser una prospera y moderna Oriente Medio y en otros sitios. se reunía con la gente local y debajo y ha sido recientemente estrenado en este despertar. democracia “modelo”, y encuentra Noam Chomsky ha dicho reciente- de su brazo llevaba media docena de el Reino Unido. Pilger pasó varias El documental trata del poder en ella fantasmas poderosos y mente que después de cinco siglos de libros –Orwell, Chomsky, Dickens, semanas filmando en Venezuela para del imperio y del poder del pueblo. activos. En los EE.UU., encon- conquistas europeas, América Latina Victor Hugo. Allí él procedía a su documental, el cual incluye una Fue filmado en Venezuela, Bolivia, tramos los testimonios de quienes está ahora reafirmando su independ- leerles algunos fragmentos de esos entrevista exclusiva con el presidente Chile y los EE.UU. pero también administraron el “patio trasero”, los encia. ¿Está de acuerdo con esto? libros y a hacer paralelos con las venezolano Hugo Chávez. habla sobre Guatemala y Nicaragua. mismos que algunas veces resultaron Sí, estoy de acuerdo. Para alguien propias vivencias de su audiencia. PN: ¿Podría comenzar explicán- El documental cuenta la historia del ser quienes hoy administran el otro que viene de la próspera Europa, Lo que claramente él está haciendo donos de que se trata su nuevo “patio trasero de América”, aquel “patio trasero”: Iraq. Chris Martin hace poner los pies en la tierra ver es desarrollando la confianza de la documental La Guerra Contra la término despectivo dado a toda (mi co-director) y yo creemos que a los más pobres tomar control de gente normal en sí misma. Del mismo Democracia? América Latina. Traza las luchas de La Guerra Contra la Democracia sus vidas, y que ellos rara vez se modo está construyendo su propia JP: Resulta que estuve escuchando los pueblos indígenas latinoameri- se estrena en un momento opor- pregunten –como estamos acos- confianza política y su comprensión el segundo discurso de inauguración canos, primero contra los españoles tuno. Esperamos que las personas tumbrados a hacer en el mundo del ejercicio del poder. Dudo que él de George Bush en el cual prometió y luego contra los inmigrantes lo vean como otra manera de mirar occidental– “¿qué puedo hacer haya comenzado siendo socialista “traer democracia al mundo”. En este europeos que vinieron a reforzar la al mundo: como una metáfora para yo?”; ellos saben lo que tienen que cuando ganó las elecciones en 1998 discurso Bush menciona las palabras vieja élite. Nuestra filmación estuvo entender una guerra más amplia en hacer. En Cochabamba, Bolivia, la –lo cual hace su transición política “democracia” y “libertad” veintiún concentrada en los barrios, donde contra de la democracia y la lucha población levantó barricadas en su cuanto más interesante. Claramente, veces. Fue un discurso muy impor- vive la “gente invisible”, quienes universal de las personas humildes, ciudad hasta que logró tomar control él ha sido siempre un reformador con tante porque, a diferencia de la prosa habitan ranchos en las laderas de de Venezuela a Vietnam, Palestina a del suministro de agua. En El Alto, un fuerte arraigo en su origen social rosa de presidentes anteriores (con los cerros que parecen desafiar las Guatemala. quizás la ciudad más pobre del humilde. Ciertamente, la economía la excepción de Ronald Reagan), leyes de la gravedad. El documental Como decía, América Latina ha continente, la gente se rebeló contra venezolana hoy día no es socialista; Bush no dejó ninguna duda de que cuenta, sobre todo, una historia sido considerada a menudo como el un régimen represivo hasta que quizás está en proceso de convertirse estaba desnudando conceptos nobles positiva: la del levantamiento de los patio trasero de los EE.UU. ¿cuán lograron derribarlo. Esto no quiere en algo como la economía social como democracia y libertad de su movimientos sociales populares que importante es América Latina para decir que se haya ganado la inde- de Gran Bretaña bajo el gobierno significado verdadero –el gobierno han llevado al poder a gobiernos que los EE.UU. en el contexto global? pendencia completa. La economía reformista del laborista Attlee. Él es, del pueblo, por el pueblo y para el han prometido enfrentarse a quienes A menudo se ha subestimado la de Venezuela, por ejemplo, sigue probablemente, lo que los europeos pueblo. controlan la riqueza nacional y al importancia estratégica de América siendo esencialmente una economía estaban orgullosos de llamarse antes: Yo quería hacer una película que amo imperial. latina y justamente esa es que la hace ʻʼneoliberalʼʼ que continúa recom- un social demócrata. Mira, este juego iluminara esta verdad disfrazada: Venezuela ha tomado el liderazgo, tan importante. Si lees la excelente pensando a aquellos que poseen el de etiquetas es bastante inútil; él que los EE.UU. han estado por largo y uno de los momentos claves de la historia de América Latina que Greg capital. Los cambios realizados bajo es un original y él inspira; veremos tiempo emprendiendo una guerra en película es una inusual entrevista Grandin (a quién entrevisté para la el gobierno de Chávez son extraor- hacia donde conduce el proyecto contra de la democracia, detrás de cara a cara con el presidente Hugo película) publicó recientemente, él dinarios –en democracia participa- Bolivariano. La verdadera energía una fachada de propaganda diseñada Chávez en donde el desarrollo de plantea que América Latina ha sido tiva, salud, educación y en el mero para mantener el cambio puede a tergiversar el intelecto y la moral- su sentido político, su sentido de la utilizada por Washington como un hecho de elevar la calidad de vida venir solamente desde el pueblo, idad de los estadounidenses y del historia y su buen sentido del humor “taller” para desarrollar, perfec- de la gente–, no obstante, la equidad y la fortaleza de Chávez es que ha resto de nosotros. se hacen evidentes. El documental cionar y valorar sus impulsos impe- verdadera, la justicia social y la logrado inspirar a personas comunes Para muchos de sus lectores, esto investiga el golpe de estado de 2002 riales en otras partes. eliminación de la corrupción siguen y corrientes a creer en alternativas ya se sabe. Sin embargo, para muchas en contra de Chávez y lo muestra en 0Por ejemplo, cuando los EE.UU. siendo metas distantes. Los ricos en distintas al viejo y corrupto orden. personas en el mundo occidental la un contexto contemporáneo. También se “retiraron” del Sudeste Asiático, Venezuela se quejan sin parar de que No tenemos nada que se compare propaganda que ha enmascarado las describe las diferencias entre ¿adónde fueron los “constructores haya disminuido su poder económico, a ese espíritu en Gran Bretaña, ambiciones de Washington, se ha Venezuela y Cuba, y los cambios en de la democracia” a retomar su lo cual no es cierto: el crecimiento en donde hay un numero cada vez entronizado echando sus raíces en la el poder económico y político que proyecto? A América Latina. El económico nunca ha sido mayor, los mayor de gente que le da lo mismo celebración incesante de la segunda han ocurrido desde que Chávez fue resultado fueron los ataques ases- negocios nunca han estado mejor. Lo votar o no. Al menos, es una lección guerra mundial, la “buena guerra”, elegido por primera vez. En Bolivia, inos a Nicaragua, El Salvador y que los ricos ya no controlan más es de esperanza. e2 Frontline Latin America Junio-Agosto 2007

FRONTLINE LATIN AMERICA La verdad va saliendo flote

ormalmente es mejor no hacer exentos de la sentencia en la cárcel. ellos están buscando la oportunidad de atacar a personal el debate político, pero en el El escándalo verdadero es que, increíblemente, a Bush y ven a Uribe como su presidente favorito caso es inevitable, ya que en el presi- la clase dominante colombiana no le había impor- de Suramérica. dente Álvaro Uribe Vélez se centra tado mucho que los asesinos paramilitares y sus Los demócratas se han vuelto mucho mas sensi- Nun proyecto político entero, en el que uno de los partidarios hubieran cometido actos sanguinarios, bles a las acusaciones de violaciones de derechos elementos es remodelar los escuadrones de muerte porque todos sabían que de cualquier forma las humanos en Colombia, ellos saben que los Estados paramilitares, desplazándolos de sus zonas de atrocidades continuarían y que el establecimiento Unidos están totalmente implicados en la política control tradicional a las ciudades para modernizar les daría vía libre. Aunque el mismo Uribe ha de Uribe y que no puede ser defendida como un la “guerra sucia” en áreas urbanas. tratado de orquestar cuidadosamente el encubri- modelo de democracia. Las aún limitadas confesiones de los coman- miento de los hechos, es imposible negar la respon- Cada vez mas, a Uribe está más desprestigiado en dantes de las AUC –Autodefensas Unidas de sabilidad colectiva. Cada quien ha tenido culpa en los Estados Unidos y, aun así, sigue siendo presen- Colombia, han escandalizado a la opinión publica lo que ha pasado y legalmente es necesario probar tado como un demócrata por políticos y sectores internacional: masacres a pedido, con todos los esas responsabilidades individuales. Pero no es un dominantes del Reino unido y Europa. Eso es una entes del establecimiento profundamente impli- secreto que ha habid una conspiración colectiva, vergüenza. Y solo porque se preocupan mas por cados. una crueldad enraizada en la conciencia de clase las inversiones de ganancias enormes que por los Cada semana las noticias sobre Colombia toman de los ricos, quienes se han encargado, por seis derechos humanos. Es nuestra responsabilidad en un nuevo y cada vez más escandaloso giro. Uribe décadas, del uso aterrador, calculado y sistemá- la campaña cambiar esto, revelar la horrible verdad intenta hacer toda clase de trucos para salvarse a tico de la violencia para no permitir de ninguna y aislar a Uribe y confrontar a sus aliados por su sí mismo y a su séquito de la derrota. Pese a su manera que la izquierda gobierne y que incluso responsabilidad en los asesinat. mano dura, Uribe empieza ahora a parecer deses- no tenga viabilidad como alternativa política. El Al cierre del periódico, The Guardian acaba perado, para evitar “los peligros de la verdad para engaño es que la violencia criminal ha perpetrado de publicar un suplemento do ocho páginas titu- la institucionalidad”. la política, mientras se conserva la apariencia de lado Inside Colombia: A Changing Landscape Desde luego a Uribe le importa el escándalo, no una democracia representativa. –Colombia desde adentro: Un Paisaje en tanto por las víctimas torturadas y decapitadas; La ʻdesmovilizaciónʼ paramilitar iba a ser, en Transformación-, el cual da una imagen desde la le importa por los suyos, por sus amigos de las qualqier caso, una operación riesgosa, pero Uribe perspectiva de las posibilidades comerciales sin fuerzas armadas, sus aliados políticos y las élites calculaba que con el total apoyo de George W. tratar la realidad de la mayoría de colombianos económicas que lo patrocinan. Con ese ambiente, Bush, podría llevarla a cabo. Bush, sin embargo, y colombianas. Tal reportaje poco crítico resalta las revelaciones de los políticos acusados por ahora es un presidente débil, por lo tanto aquello la importancia de lograr una amplia distribución vínculos paramilitares son muy inconvenientes que fuera una vez el punto fuerte de Uribe, se de Frontline Latin America para informar desde para él, así que el presidente está intentando mani- ha convertido en su debilidad. En Washington la mirada de los movimientos sociales y las expe- pular la situación –y la legislación– para dejarlos el congreso es controlado por los demócratas y riencias de la gente colombiana. Horrores paramilitares

atrocidades, en las confesiones sólo del Estado Mayor. El 15 de febrero, los Estados Unidos, donde el escán- mente no es suficiente para entrar en nombró a comandantes que hoy en cuatro senadores y un congresista dalo se ha expandido. A pesar de negociaciones serias con las FARC, día están muertos o ya habían sido fueron detenidos por orden de la los cada vez mas frenéticos viajes y es, en cualquier caso, la cortina de citados en otras audiencias. Los Corte; todos ellos pertenecían al a Washington, alquilando cuatro humo para la segunda jugada. críticos, estiman que en su confesión bloque uribista. firmas de lobby por un costo de 100 La segunda movida de Uribe es no reveló mas del 5 por ciento de El 19 de febrero, la ministra millones de dólares por mes, y pesar proponer una ley que asegure a sus crímenes. En otras pala- de Relaciones Exteriores, Maria del agitado nombramiento de dos los congresistas convictos, no ir a bras, Mancuso está guardando ʻases Consuelo Araújo, confidente cercana ministros afrodescendientes, Uribe prisión, como una promesa de inmu- bajo la mangaʼ, tácitamente diciendo de Uribe, se vio obligada a renunciar. ha fallado en su carrera por persuadir nidad. Efectivamente, algo anormal que dará más nombres si eso lo ayuda Su hermano fue uno de los senadores al Partido Demócrata estadouni- estaba ocurriendo, cuando los parla- a recibir mejores beneficios. Ya ha detenidos, a la vez que su padre y dense. Los Demócratas están de mentarios acusados por nexos con acusado al vice-presidente Francisco su primo eran acusados de tener acuerdo en bloquear la ratificación los paramilitares (quienes bajo los Santos, de hacer un acuerdo para conexiones narco-paramilitares. Dos de lo que ya se ha negociado en el términos de la ley de Justicia y Paz, asentar los paramilitares en Bogota, semanas después, la Corte Suprema Tratado de Libre Comercio, y han enfrentarán solo entre 5 y 8 años de aunque Santos se negó tajantemente. dictaminó una orden de arresto a su cortado un 30 % de la ayuda militar sentencia) podrían cumplir senten- La Fiscalía General entregó a la padre, un ex senador y ex ministro del Plan Colombia. cias más largas que los paramili- Corte Suprema un documento en de agricultura, por haber sido el Uribe sigue luchando por su sobre- tares mismos. En un giro surreal de el que aparecía un pacto secreto emisario de Jorge 40 en el secuestro vivencia política, y como su base eventos, tres congresistas renunci- firmado en Santa Fe de Ralito por de otro político, Víctor Ochoa, en se desintegra con las amenazas de aron a su fuero parlamentario y están los altos mandos de las AUC y enero de 2002. ir a la cárcel, él ha hecho una doble considerando declararse a sí mismos 32 políticos, comprometiéndose a Uribe defendió su jefe del DAS, maniobra. La primera movida es como miembros de las AUC. apoyar el proyecto político de los hasta cuando este fue arrestado una sorpresa, la liberación de 400 Las víctimas no tienen ningún rol paramilitares. Un estudio revela el 22 de febrero de 2007 –aunque guerrilleros de las FARC que estaban directo en el proceso de ʻJusticia y que la expansión paramilitar había posteriormente fue liberado. Con encarcelados e incluso de Rodrigo Pazʼ. Están siendo amenazadas en las alcanzado 223 municipios para 2002. Noguera en la cárcel y mas de 30 Granda, quien se reconoce como “el audiencias, los planes de reparación Desde este punto, “los nuevos grupos congresistas detenidos o bajo inves- embajador” de las FARC. Granda son patéticos, y no hay reales inten- que se formaron, eligieron una tigación –hasta ahora-, el escándalo fue puesto en libertad a petición ciones de reconciliación; y aún así, tercera parte del Congreso en 2002, de la para-política llegó a ʻparagateʼ, del presidente francés Sarkozy, tan horrible y perversa como es, la montaron amas de 250 alcaldes en significando que estuvo bastante con miras a asegurar la liberación verdad está próxima a salir. 2005, e incrementaron su represent- cerca de forzar la renuncia del presi- de la franco-colombiana Ingrid ación parlamentaria en 2006”. dente Uribe. Betancourt, una de las secuestradas La Corte Suprema de Justicia tiene La palabra ʻparagateʼ obviamente de las FARC. Esta jugada le dio a responsabilidad para indagar y juzgar se refiere al Watergate y la dimisión Uribe elogios de los líderes del G-8 miembros del congreso y oficiales de Richard Nixon, o sea, viene de reunidos en Rostock, pero probable- Ecuador JJohnohn PPilgerilger Correa - un nuevo camino página e5 sobre guerra, democracia y América Latina Entrevista - página e3 FRONTLINE LATIN AMERICA Junio - Agosto 2007 PUBLICACIÓN DE LA CAMPAÑA DE SOLIDARIDAD POR COLOMBIA Vol 2 No 6 Precio £1.00

exparamilitares, de sus acciones en los últimos 15 años. Esta guerra supues- tamente ʻcontra-insurgenteʼ, ha estado dirigida casi por completo contra de la población civil, extendiendo el terror desde Antioquia hacia el resto del país. Hay dos modalidades usadas por los paramilitares: masacres, en las que son preferidas las motosierras, y asesinatos selectivos. Aparte de sembrar terror en las comunidades afectadas, las técnicas de carnicería humana siguen una macabra lógica (en las fosas, cabe mas fácilmente un cuerpo desmembrado que uno entero; los cadáveres lanzados a los ríos se hunden fácilmente sin los intestinos). Las fosas comunes han sido encon- tradas desde San Onofre, en el norte hasta el Putumayo, en el sur, algunas a veces con cientos de cuerpos. Los horrores no terminan. Desde las reve- laciones hechas el año pasado, la nueva generación de paramilitares, las Águilas Negras, han comenzado a excavar las fosas y lanzar los restos humanos a los ríos, eliminando toda evidencia. Se estima que el número total de víctimas varía entre 10 mil (cifras ofi ciales) y mas de 31 mil (estimado de ONGʼs de derechos humanos). El escándalo de la para-política Manifestantes colombianos acusan al presidente Álvaro Uribe por su responsabilidad en la expansión de grupos paramilitares. Peter Bearder irrumpió en forma el 4 de septiembre de 2006, cuando la Revista Semana reveló información del computador portátil de otro jefe paramilitar ʻJorge 40ʼ. De manera sistemática, había dado dinero a varios políticos del norte del Horrores paramilitares país, y había eliminado sus oponentes. Los paramilitares han usado sus ganan- cias de las drogas para acaparar, a precios muy baratos porque desplazan a los campesinos, vastas extensiones de tierra en toda la Costa Atlántica. El escándalo acecha a Uribe En noviembre de 2006, los tratos hechos por Jorge Noguera, jefe del servicio de inteligencia de Colombia Robert Green de cuatro o cinco y luego, la práctica los intestinos”. condenó al estado colombiano por DAS designado por Uribe, salieron a se desarrollaba con ellos como blanco, Los paramilitares reconocían esas no proteger a la población de El Aro, fl ote: Noguera había hecho una lista de informó El Tiempo, principal periódico sesiones como “pruebas de coraje”. y ordenó el pago de 1.5 millones de sindicalistas y académicos y se la había os paramilitares entrenaron de Colombia, el 23 de abril de 2007. Uno de los practicantes se rehusó a dólares en compensación, además de pasado a paramilitares, como Jorge 40, a Francisco Villalba para “Las instrucciones eran quitarles el hacerlo; el comandante Doble Cero las disculpas públicas. quienes se encargaban de ejecutarlos. manejar armas, hacer bombas brazo, la cabeza, descuartizarlos vivos. lo llamó al frente y lo descuartizó él El hombre al mando de la unidad de La ʻpara-políticaʼ se había vuelto para- caseras y descuartizar gente. Ellos salían llorando y le pedían a uno mismo como escarmiento. El Aro fue Salvatore Mancuso, ahora institucional. LVillalba revela cómo a mediados que no le fuera a hacer nada, que tenían Villalba estima que 400 víctimas detenido en la cárcel con otros cuarenta Quedaba más por venir. En enero, de 1994 fue llevado a La Finca La 35 familia”. fueron enterradas en la Finca La 35. para-líderes de las AUC, bajo la Ley de Mancuso ʻconfesóʼ que fue el respon- en Antioquia, a un campo de entre- Villalba describe la técnica de abrir a Tres años después, en octubre de 1997, Justicia y Paz del gobierno. sable personal de 55 ejecuciones y 6 namiento. Él practicaba con víctimas la gente “desde el pecho hasta la barriga ellos usaron lo aprendido en la masacre Para ese momento el gobernador masacres, con un total de 336 víctimas. recogidas desde pueblos cercanos, para sacar lo que es tripa, el despojo. Se de El Aro en Ituango, Antioquia. Los de Antioquia, departamento en el que No obstante, Mancuso no estaba “eran personas de edad que las llevaban les quitaban piernas, brazos y cabeza”. paramilitares ocuparon el pequeño tuvieron lugar la masacre de El Aro y contando toda la verdad. En cuanto en camiones, vivas, amarradas”. Las Otras unidades preferían la motosierra, caserío por una semana, mientras otro incontable número de masacres, al apoyo militar para llevar a cabo sus víctimas detenidas eran encerradas pero al grupo de Villalba le parecía que iban de casa en casa buscando la gente era Alvaro Uribe Velez, presidente de continúa en la página 2 durante varios días, hasta que los la ropa se enredaba demasiado, “se hacía que tenían nombrada en una lista. Colombia desde 2002 y arquitecto del paramilitares estuvieran listos. Al con machete o con cuchillo. El resto, el Diecinueve campesinos fueron asesi- proceso llamado “Justicia y Paz”. iniciar las sesiones de entrenamiento, despojo, con la mano. Nosotros, que nados. En agosto de 2006, la Corte La confesión de Villalba es solo una las víctimas eran divididas en grupos estábamos en instrucción, sacábamos Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en una serie de revelaciones hechas por