Imminent Threat to Indigenous and Rural Consultations in Cauca, Colombia - Take Action! 

Amenaza Inminente a la Minga en Cauca - 

The Colombian Armed Forces are surrounding indigenous and rural popular consultations (mingas) in the Department of Cauca. Twice in 24 hours they have attacked the minga in the municipality of Cajibío, with tear gas fired directly into the crowd. There is a real possibility this could escalate to live ammunition resulting in more casualties. The conveners of the minga are insisting that Colombian President Iván Duque come meet with them and hear their demands for land rights and an end to political violence.

Las Fuerzas Armadas de Colombia están amenazando a la minga de indígenas y campesinos en el Departamento de Cuaca. Dos veces en 24 horas han agredido a la minga en Cajibío con gas lacrimógeno disparado directamente a la multitud. Hay una posibilidad grave que la situación pueda escalar con el uso de munición real por parte de ESMAD (Escuadrón Movil Antidisturbios) resultando en más víctimas. Los convocantes de la minga estan insistiendo en que el presidente Iván Duque venga para reunir con ellos para escuchar sus demandas para derechos a tierra y un fin a la violencia política. 

Following is an English translation of the Spanish letter you will send:

I am writing in support of the demands of the participants in the minga in Cauca, and to request that you meet with them to listen to their legitimate complaints with respect to their rights to land, to not to be displaced or victimized by political violence. More, as an internationalist and defender of Human Rights, I demand that the Colombian government act immediately to put an end to the threats and assaults by ESMAD [Colombian anti-disturbances squadron] against the Minga in Cajibío and throughout Cauca. The world is watching!