The North Shore Colombia Solidarity Committee Blog

I arrived April 3^rd and spent a couple days in Bogota. The good news is that our collective book project, THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE COAL (BAJO EL MANTO DEL CARBON), is moving along. The Spanish version should be out soon and the editors are enthusiastic about promoting it. It will definitely be ready for the August conference and the Witness for Peace delegation.

Once in La Guajira, I met immediately with both with Jose Julio, from Tabaco (now living in Albania) and Jairo, from Tamaquito, in order to hear about the situation in the communities and in order to deliver money from mochila sales, gifts from folks, etc. I was immediately reminded of how important the sales of these bags are to people in both communities. Since Tabaco has been displaced by the mine and Tamaquito essentially isolated and harassed to the point of desperation, these sales are a vital source of income. Anything we can do to continue or expand the project will be immensely appreciated by both communities. Jose Julio, his wife Isabel, and Jairo all thank everyone for their support in this project. And the kids thank Debbie for all the cool gifts, especially the goofy rabbit ears (Easter).

Immediately prior to my arrival, union leaders from Sintracarbon met with community members from Tabaco, Tamaquito, Chancleta, Patilla, and Roche. By all accounts, the meeting was a complete success. Community members are very pleased with the union´s overall commitment. The next step is for the union to broker a meeting between the communities and the company – with the end goal of collective negotiations to relocate and reimburse the communities. The communities are hoping for some sort of international presence at the negotiations.

I also toured Chancleta, Patilla, and Roche, all of which report the same, ongoing, problems. The mine promises collective negotiations to relocate the communities at the same time as it actively works to buy off individual community members (i.e. get them to sell their property and leave). Given the situation of community members, the option to sell is attractive…even as so many remain united against the company. An ongoing struggle for the communities is to remain united and in communication with each other. People from Tamaquito also report continued harassment from the police and general isolation as the road to their town deteriorates even further. This time of year it is almost impassable.

I also met with the President of the Union at the Drummond coal mine (located in Cesar, where union leaders have been murdered by paramilitaries). International pressure and spotlight on Drummond (and Chiquita) have the company nervous – which in the case of Drummond can also make the company more dangerous. Workers still have a series of problems with workplace safety and union leaders struggle with personal safety on a daily basis. The union encourages any efforts from the international community to pressure the company.

I met briefly with Jaime, President of Sintracarbon (Cerrejon). He sends a big hug to everyone. I will meet tomorrow and Friday with other union leaders. Sintracarbon is stronger than ever and fully committed to the communities.

Steve