Environmental defenders living in the desert province of La Guajira suffer threats, attacks.
The report found 64 land rights activists were killed in Colombia last year – up from 25 in 2018 — the highest level Global Witness has ever recorded in the country. Though violence in Colombian overall has fallen since a 2016 peace deal between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels and the government, so-called “social leaders” continue to be threatened, attacked and killed — many in cases which remain unsolved.
Environmental defenders in Colombia fear threats and attacks, said Angelica Ortiz, who lives in desert province La Guajira and is the secretary-general of indigenous group the Association of Wayuu Women.Wayuu communities in La Guajira are locked in long-running disputes with coal miner Cerrejon over water use and pollution, dust, noise and health issues.