Farmers are calling for comprehensive rural reform, the protection of water springs, and the suspension of coal mining.

On Monday, over 15 social organizations called for an indefinite strike on the main roads of the department of La Guajira due to the lack of responses from the Colombian government to the problems affecting the region.

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Among other demands, farmer organizations are calling for comprehensive rural reform, the protection of water springs, and the suspension of coal mining in the territory of Cañaverales, said former guerrilla fighter Benedicto Gonzalez, one of the organizers of a protest that has managed to paralyze regular economic activities in the region.

“Commerce, transportation, and tourism are key sectors in La Guajira. We understand the communities’ discontent, but the protests should not paralyze the department or affect thousands of workers who rely on commercial mobility,” the government of La Guajira said.

The strike organizers clarified that the protests are not aimed at attacking President Gustavo Petro but rather at demanding respect for rights that have been violated for years.

“La Guajira is unsafe. Every day, there are robberies and deaths. Besides that, we need to be taken into account more. Our communities, towns, and rural areas have many needs. We have no water, and the tertiary roads are in poor condition,” said Eleiner Gomez, who is participating in the protests.

Amid growing unrest, the Interior Ministry called for a working group with regional and national authorities to find solutions and restore public order in the region.

The working group will include representatives from the Ministries of Defense, Environment, and Mines and Energy, as well as oversight agencies, the Government of La Guajira, and the mayors’ offices of the most affected municipalities: Manaure, Uribia, Maicao, and Riohacha.

teleSUR/ JF Sources: El Espectador – RCN

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