CPTers chased out of Colombia

I had forgotten how hot it gets here in the Medio-Magdalena region of Colombia. It's the rainy season and every family living on the Opon River has a smudge-pot burning to ward off the mosquitos. I am burned, bitten and boiled--Pierre assures me boils are a reaction to the heat.

And everywhere we go along the river, another story: a mother whose husband was killed by paramilitaries two years ago; a family just returned after fleeing threats by the guerillas one year ago; a family moved to a new location because of continuing harassment by paras; fishermen pointing to where the guerillas shot a boat driver in December; a brother dismembered by the paras for giving false information leading to the assassination of a campesino.

But hopeful signs as well: peace banners along the river, at family homesteads and even at the site of the shooting of the boat driver; long promised new houses being built by the government for refugee families brave enough to return; no recent activity of armed groups--paras, guerillas, army or navy--probably because of the rainy-season mud on the trails; two of the four schools have a teacher--teachers are often threatened by paramilitaries; welcoming families always willing to share their bountiful fish with us.

For four days Pierre and I travelled tip and down the river, stopping to visit virtually every family--fishers, farmers, ranchers, lumberjacks--all appreciative of our presence. And our presence is what they ask--a deterrent to all the armed actors in the area. This rural civilian population has returned to an area abandoned two years ago because of the violence which engulfed the lives of everyone.

We do not hesitate to confront the men (and women) with guns, no matter what side of the conflict, and insist that they leave the civilian population alone. Because we denounce the violence on till sides, we ourselves have been threatened but so far no physical violence to us or, in our presence, to those we accompany. Verbal and psychological violence, we have observed, especially at illegal checkpoints. But in these four days no guns to be seen--thanks be to God!

Back in the city (Barrancabermeja) for a team meeting, we strategize on visas. Clearly the military (and their paramilitary allies) are unhappy with our work and the DAS (similar to the FBI in the U.S.) has pressured the Colombian Consulates to refuse visas to Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). They have deported CPTers with tourist visas during security checks on our house. We have not been able to renew long-term religious visas acquired through the Mennonite Church in Colombia so our numbers have dwindled from twelve a year ago to six now, one Colombian and several with short-term tourist or visitor visas. Pierre and Keith are off in Bogota to join with our Mennonite partners seek official relief on the visa situation.

Three who were refused visas to Colombia are now in Baghdad, Iraq--Lisa, Scott and Stewart. There is no shortage of violent conflict for CPT to confront! Here a U.S. backed counterinsurgency war and in Iraq a U.S. military. occupation. Matt and Jessica, two others who refused Colombian visas, are in Grassy Narrows, Ont. confronting Canadian oppression of First Nations people.

Keep us in your prayers,

Bob Holmes CSB is a member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams. His last posting was in Hebron, Occupied Territories.

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