Colombia: 60% of indigenous face 'extinction'

[Judi Lynn]

Colombia: 60% of indigenous face 'extinction'
Submitted by WW4 Report on Mon, 09/16/2013 - 21:43 Andean Theater

The National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC) released findings Sept. 13 that 62.7% of Colombia's indigenous population—a total of some 890,00 people—is at risk of extinction. Of the 102 indigenous communities in Colombia, 66 are found to be under grave threat, from forces such as large-scale mining development and the country's ongoing armed conflict. The findings follow a ruling issued by Colombia's Constitutional Court three days earlier that the government has not done enough to protect its indigenous population, after a 2004 decision by the same body ordered that additional measures be taken. The court held that efforts made over the previous decade to improve security for indigenous peoples have been ineffective and insufficient. The ruling found that indigenous communities are continuously victimized by armed groups forcing them off of their land, and endemic health problems caused by resource exploitation on their traditional territories. However, in contrast to ONIC, the court identified 36 indigenous groups at risk of extinciton.

In Colombia, much of the indigenous population lives in autonomous territories set aside by the national Consitution. But these nominally autonomous communities have historically borne the brunt of the Colombia's long-standing armed conflict, as well as its aggressive mining policy, which has led to mass deforestation and poisoned lands and waters with sulfur, cyanide, heavy metals and other toxins.

In August, a report by independent broadcaster Noticias Uno affirmed fears about the health impacts of the Cerro Matoso open-pit nickel mine, run by PHP Billiton in Córdoba department, on the local Senú indigenous people. Televised footage documented a rash of degenerative maladies in local communities, with symptoms such as nail and hair loss, seeming to confirm residents' fears that the mine—the fourth largest nickel operation on the planet—poses grave health risks to the Senú.

Severe nickel contamination in local waters has been documented, and researchers at the University of the Andes in Bogotá are attempting to develop a "super-bacteria" to decontaminate effluent from the mine.

More:
http://ww4report.com/node/12628

[delrem]

1. Hopefully the US/Colombia free trade agreement will rectify this.

I recall news articles citing ex-Pres Bill Clinton earning plenty money speaking to Colombian leaders promoting the free trade agreement. I have no doubt that Bill Clinton, a Democrat of the progressive variety, oiled some squeaky wheels back in the homeland. This is surely another example of US D/R bipartisanship working to make the world a better and more safe place.

In contrast, aren't Venezuela and Bolivia shit-bags of countries, failing to do justice to the people? (they actually align with Cuba!!)
Furthermore, don't Venezuela and Bolivia (in particular) supply a shitload of cocaine to the US? In contrast Columbia exports fine coffee picked by Juan Valdez. That's the US advantage and it always has been.

Likewise for Honduras, a country recently saved from ignorant voters who elected the wrong person. Thank the Great Koot Hoomi that the US still correctly judges itself to be the only exceptional superpower both willing and able to do this - and thank Henry K., Kerry's advisor and never too far from the real action. Honduras and Columbia, US beachheads in SA. Good. Here, on the US's gift to Honduras:
http://otherwords.org/no_happy_ending_in_honduras/