Colombian Peasant, Indigenous Groups Launch 'Agrarian Strike'

Thousands of peasants and indigenous people are holding demonstrations across Colombia protesting the lack of commitment by the government to a series of agreements that were previously reached following a nationwide rural strike in 2013.

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Among their demands are calls for improvements in health, education, access to land and a moratorium on extractive projects. This latest mobilization also aims to protest the current model of economic development, which social movements argue is posing a threat to their livelihoods.

“Today we are going to confront the harmful extractivist policies that put our natural resources, national sovereignty, along with our physical and cultural survival, at risk,” read the official statement issued by civil society groups participating in the nationwide mobilizations.

The national strike, under the banner of the "Agrarian, Ethnic, Rural and Popular Minga," also called on Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos to give them a seat at the negotiating table in the Colombian peace talks.

Local media outlets have reported several road blockades throughout the country specifically located in the Colombian departments of Cauca, Valle del Cauca and Antioquia, where Indigenous and rural communities have been peacefully issuing their demands.

One civilian has already been killed during the protests. Willington Quibarecama Nequirucama, a 26 year old indigenous man, died upon arrival at a nearby emergency health facility after being run over by a police vehicle, according to local reports.

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Meanwhile, the National Indigenous Organization (ONIC) denounced the use of excessive force exerted by the Colombian riot police, known as ESMAD, whom they accuse of using violence to repress the peaceful demonstrations.

Indigenous groups have also requested the immediate presence of the United Nations and the Red Cross to guarantee the right to protest is respected.

The 2013 and 2014 strikes were also met with brutal violence and repression, leaving 164 people dead and thousands injured.