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Afro-Colombians Strike Against State Neglect

IN PICTURES: Colombia's port city of Buenaventura is holding an indefinite civil strike to demand better rights and living conditions.

Communities and social movements in Choco and Colombia's most important port city, Buenaventura, are engaged in an indefinite civil strike over the Colombian state's historic neglect of the city's majority Afro-descendent population, as protests continue to spread across the country's Pacific Ocean coast.

But the response of President Juan Manuel Santos has been vicious. On May 17, he ordered a military-style attack upon the city in an operation involving thousands of police, military and navy units. The city has been placed under a state of emergency with the security forces imposing a curfew.

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Choco and Buenaventura residents, predominantly Afro-Colombian, launched massive civic strikes earlier this month to demand better living conditions.
Choco and Buenaventura residents, predominantly Afro-Colombian, launched massive civic strikes earlier this month to demand better living conditions. Photo:EFE
A year has come and gone since Colombians in the southwestern region of the country began their fight for human rights, brought on by rising unemployment rates — the highest in the country — as well as threats of poverty, hunger and personal safety.
A year has come and gone since Colombians in the southwestern region of the country began their fight for human rights, brought on by rising unemployment rates — the highest in the country — as well as threats of poverty, hunger and personal safety. Photo:EFE
The city is currently flooded with heavily armed military units and ESMAD anti-riot units, renowned for their willingness to use lethal force to put down protests.
The city is currently flooded with heavily armed military units and ESMAD anti-riot units, renowned for their willingness to use lethal force to put down protests. Photo:EFE
On Saturday — the fourth day of a general strike in the Colombian state of Choco — clashes between the ESMAD and strikers broke out on the Pinal Bridge and in the local community of La Delfina.
On Saturday — the fourth day of a general strike in the Colombian state of Choco — clashes between the ESMAD and strikers broke out on the Pinal Bridge and in the local community of La Delfina. Photo:EFE
Several people were injured by tear gas inhalation, including two children who were transferred to a local clinic.
Several people were injured by tear gas inhalation, including two children who were transferred to a local clinic. Photo:AFP
Choco, home to large Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities, is currently the poorest department in the country. Some 65.9 percent of Choco’s population now live below the poverty line, according to Colombia Reports.
Choco, home to large Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities, is currently the poorest department in the country. Some 65.9 percent of Choco’s population now live below the poverty line, according to Colombia Reports. Photo:AFP
In Quibdo, the capital of Choco, discussions were temporarily suspended to give the government time to evaluate each proposal submitted by social movements, reported government official Alfonso Prada.
In Quibdo, the capital of Choco, discussions were temporarily suspended to give the government time to evaluate each proposal submitted by social movements, reported government official Alfonso Prada. Photo:AFP
As for Buenaventura, where residents are demanding that the government declare a state of social and economic emergency, the government argued that the constitution only contemplated such a state of emergency only in a situation of “immediacy,
As for Buenaventura, where residents are demanding that the government declare a state of social and economic emergency, the government argued that the constitution only contemplated such a state of emergency only in a situation of “immediacy," like after a natural disaster. Photo:AFP
According to a 2014 report, 36 percent of the children in Choco do not have a healthy size and weight for their age. The report also found that child mortality was higher than the average rate in the rest of the South American country.
According to a 2014 report, 36 percent of the children in Choco do not have a healthy size and weight for their age. The report also found that child mortality was higher than the average rate in the rest of the South American country. Photo:AFP
Published 26 May 2017
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