Tumaco

Local Zones of Peace: General Survey and Map.
                                                               

                                                                      Tumaco

Official Title: Tumaco Community of Peaceful Resistance.
Departamento: Narino
Region: SW coast next to the border with Ecuador
Population:
Location:
Ethnic mix: Afro Colombian plus significant indigenous [Awa] population.
IDP population: Increased significantly in last six years, as indigenously owned land “cleared” by paras and military for cash crop cultivation.
Date of establishment:
Traditional political affiliation:
Trigger event[s]:
 
Persons/organisations involved in establishment: Diocese of San Andres de Tumaco/Pastoral Social
Leadership:
 
Supporters: Process of Black Communities in Colombia.
 
Declared objectives:
 
Relations with local government bodies:
 Mayor’s office:
 Governor’s office:
 
Memberships of regional organisations:
 
Organisational structure:
 Community meetings:
 Decision making bodies
 Functional committees.
 
Valued goods produced in region: Since fumigation of coca crops began in Putumayo [c2000] much of coca production has moved into Narino; Tumaco has now [2007] become one of the largest coca producers in country and is itself subject to aerial fumigation. In addition, the “Palmeiras Corporation” has moved into indigenous territory from which inhabitants had been driven and planted African palm on a large scale.
In 2006 the community won a court decision restoring their legal title to indigenous lands but the Corporation has defied the court order and denied local people access to their land.
Local armed actors in the region:
 Armed forces: 10th Marine Infantry Battalion    
 Paramilitaries:  Following “demobilisation” significant paramilitary remnants have reconstituted themselves into the “Organizacion Nueva Generacion” [ONG], most recently with the support of thr “Black Eagles”.   
Guerrillas: FARC-EP Frente 29                                              
                     
Arrangements with L.A.A.s
 
Significant events: Continuing threats and assassinations of indigenous leaders and their supporters, including Yolanda Ceron, Director of Pastoral Social [Sept. 2001]
Further comments: Tumaco is one of the communities setting up an unarmed Afro-Colombian Peace Guard [originally established in Buenos Aires, Cauca], based upon the Nasa Guarda Indigena,
 
Contact details:
 
Last Updated: