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Article written by María Cecilia Avila, Maria Gabriela Otero & Narly Vega
Violence against social leaders in Colombia has made the country one of the most dangerous in the world to exercise this kind of leadership. In Colombia, this violence has reached alarming levels, seriously affecting the associative structures and social cohesion of these communities. This phenomenon not only threatens the lives of those who are dedicated to protecting human rights and promoting social welfare but also creates a climate of fear and uncertainty that destabilizes social dynamics. The continuing threat of violence against these leaders undermines confidence among community members, hampers collective organization and limits citizen participation in democratic processes necessary for social and economic development. This violence occurs in various contexts throughout the country, but this text will explore this phenomenon by looking primarily at the department of Bolívar, and its capital Cartagena. Here, the struggle for social justice is vital, and this situation creates a cycle of mistrust and disorganization that undermines progress towards a more just and cohesive society.
To begin, it is important to mention that a social leader often serves as an advocate for their community or group, inspiring and motivating others to work towards a shared vision (Panchal, 2024). In Colombia, these leaders face a context of systematic violence, with as many as 1,715 murders reported since 2016 throughout the country (Indepaz), reflecting a deep crisis affecting those fighting for social causes. The reasons behind these crimes are diverse: from territorial disputes over natural resources to attempts to silence critical voices advocating for social change across a range of issues. Furthermore, leaders often face the threat of insecurity which is sadly far too prevalent across many contexts in Colombia. In isolated rural areas, the situation is aggravated by the presence of illegal armed groups who see social leaders as a threat to their interests. However, urban centers such as Cartagena also have factors of risk generated by the presence of gangs and criminal organizations which impact this issue. This problem not only affects the individuals directly involved, but also impacts their communities, weakening the social fabric and perpetuating cycles of violence and impunity in a country that is still struggling to consolidate peace after decades of armed conflict.
The situation of social leaders in Colombia is alarming due to the systematic violence they face. Thus far in 2024 alone (this article is being written in November 2024), 148 social leaders have been reported murdered (Indepaz). During this period, 7 of these murders occurred in the department of Bolivar, meaning it has been the most affected department in the Caribbean region throughout the year. Since 2016, there have been 46 social leaders murdered in Bolivar, making it the second most impacted department in the region, behind Córdoba with 72 cases (La Libertad Sublime). Of the cases to have occurred in 2024, there were two in the departmental capital of Cartagena. This violence profoundly impacts the community, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods. The assassination of leaders like Billy Salgado and Jorge Navarro, who were instrumental in improving living conditions in their neighborhoods, creates fear and distrust, weakening social cohesion. Billy Salgado, a 22-year-old sports coordinator for the La Candelaria neighborhood, used sports to keep children and teenagers away from drugs and crime. He was tragically killed during a robbery attempt. Jorge Navarro, a 52-year-old member of the Commission of Coexistence and Conciliation in Nuevo Bosque, was known for his work in education and health programs. His murder has left his community in shock and fear. Both Billy and Jorge were members of the Junta de Acción Comunal (JAC: communal action board in English) in their respective neighborhoods. JACs are essential for community organization and communication with authorities, playing a vital role in addressing local issues and promoting community development. The context of violence in Cartagena is severe; according to El Universal, in 2023, Cartagena reported a homicide rate of 25.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, illustrating the insecurity affecting the population, including social leaders.
In the department of Bolívar, the context of violence against social leaders varies significantly between urban and rural areas. In rural Bolívar, particularly in the southern regions, the presence of illegal armed groups and narcotrafficking significantly heightens the risks for social leaders. These areas are often characterized by limited state presence and scarce resources, making community leaders more vulnerable to threats and violence. For example, Narciso Beleño, a community leader in Santa Rosa del Sur, was targeted and killed due to his efforts to promote the rights of local farmers and small-scale miners and his denouncements of paramilitary actions in the area. Similarly, Luis Alfredo Leones Alvarez had faced threats and violence for his work in environmental protection and community rights via his work as an educator and community leader. Luis Alfredo was found murdered in his home in April 2024, with subsequent investigations citing robbery as the motive. The dynamics in rural areas differ from those in urban centers like Cartagena, where the violence is more closely associated with organized crime, socio-economic disparities and a general sense of insecurity experienced in many sectors of the city. These rural dynamics highlight the complex challenges that social leaders face across different contexts within Bolívar, necessitating tailored approaches to protection and support.
Furthermore, the impunity and lack of effective protection for social leaders erodes community trust in governmental and judicial institutions. This results in less collaboration with authorities and greater distrust towards the state. Social leaders are fundamental in both rural and urban contexts for fostering community and ensuring grassroots involvement across a range of issues. For instance, a leader like Narciso is imperative for agrarian reform, sustainable development, and the construction of peace. Similarly, urban leaders like Billy are essential for leading projects that provide opportunities for urban youth, helping to keep them away from negative cycles such as crime and drugs. Violence against social leaders not only affects the direct victims and their families but also has deep and lasting repercussions on the cohesion and development of vulnerable communities. Addressing this issue is crucial to strengthening the social fabric and promoting a safe and collaborative environment in Cartagena, Bolivar, and across the country.
Successive Colombian governments have failed to protect social leaders. One of the main problems is the lack of effective implementation of protection measures. Despite the creation of specialized units and plans, there have been significant delays and inefficiencies in their implementation. For example, the “Save Cartagena Together” initiative sought to modernize the district's institutional framework, but faced repeated rejections by the city council, which hindered progress. In addition, there has been criticism of insufficient resource allocation and the lack of a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of violence against social leaders. The lack of protection for rural leaders is particularly concerning. Current responses often fail to address the unique challenges faced in rural areas. Leaders like Narciso Beleño, who work in regions with minimal state presence, remain highly vulnerable. The difficulty in offering effective protection is compounded by the state's lack of control over these areas, particularly in the south of Bolívar, where illegal armed groups exert significant influence. Another critical failure is the inadequate judicial response. The Prosecutor General's Office has been criticized for failing to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes against social leaders. Many cases remain unsolved, and the impunity rate is high, which emboldens perpetrators. In addition, there are reports of corruption and collusion between local authorities and criminal groups, which undermine efforts to protect social leaders. This lack of accountability and transparency has eroded trust in government institutions and has left many social leaders exposed to constant threats and violence. Organizations such as the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) have highlighted the pervasive impunity in Colombia, noting that only a small number of perpetrators are held accountable, which fuels inequality and undermines trust in political institutions
One of the fundamental reasons for the deaths of social leaders in Colombia is the great absence of the state in many areas of the country, and the stigma that the leaders are part of leftist insurgencies also makes them a military target for illegal armed groups. The UN, through the office of the high commissioner for human rights, calls on the state and says that it is urgent to be present in the territories most affected by violence against social leaders. Juliette Rivero, delegate of this commission in our country, believes that the proximity of the members of the Ombudsman’s Office with the civilian population is one way to get closer to the communities. It is also recommended that the international community, together with the national government, consider the early warnings of the Ombudsman’s Office to try to avoid possible acts of violence in some specific sectors of the country. Another recommendation we can make is a security and prevention strategy on the part of the government, since the problem goes beyond that, and we must attack the root of the problem to identify causes that lead to the assassination of social leaders. At the urban level, community policing could be implemented through the implementation of community policing strategies in which officers engage with residents to gain their trust and learn more about threats specific to different neighborhoods. Another recommendation would be to strengthen local human rights offices by training local human rights offices to actively monitor threats and provide immediate support to social leaders. Financial support for local initiatives would also be a great option to allocate resources to support local initiatives that protect social leaders and promote human rights. In addition to this, society must listen more to social leaders and value their work for the communities and their great courage in order to protect their rights.
In Colombia, violence against social leaders has reached alarming levels that have damaged social construction and impeded the advancement of these communities. This phenomenon has a negative effect not only on the people who directly suffer the attacks but also on other members of society. The systematic targeting of social leaders, largely due to territorial conflicts and the repression of dissent, leads to a culture of fear and distrust that undermines social integration and obstructs collective action. Furthermore, it is also evident that the high rates of crime and insecurity present in urban centers such as Cartagena means that many local leaders are tasked with carrying out their responsibilities in a context of implicit risk. Violence continues to prolong cycles of poverty, instability and impunity, impeding the consolidation of peace and development in the country's vulnerable neighborhoods. The absence of the State and the presence of illegal armed groups worsen the situation, making it difficult to protect the rights of social leaders and their communities.
References
Alcaldía de Cartagena. (2024, 18 de julio). Alcaldía de Cartagena, comprometida con la protección de líderes sociales de la zona urbana y rural. https://www.cartagena.gov.co/noticias/alcaldia-cartagena-comprometida-proteccion-lideres-sociales-zona-urbana-rural
Alcaldía de Cartagena. (2022, 18 de diciembre). 100 líderes y lideresas en situación de pobreza extrema de Cartagena se graduaron como defensores de justicia comunitaria. https://www.cartagena.gov.co/noticias/100-lideres-lideresas-situacion-pobreza-extrema-cartagena-graduaron-como-defensores-justicia-comunitaria-1865
Balaguera, Z. (2024, abril 22). 51 líderes sociales asesinados en Colombia en 2024: 2 son de Cartagena. El Universal. https://www.eluniversal.com.co/sucesos/2024/04/22/51-lideres-sociales-asesinados-en-colombia-en-2024-2-son-de-cartagena/
Colprensa. (2021, 10 febrero). ¿Qué puede hacer Colombia para enfrentar la violencia contra los líderes? Diario la República. https://www.larepublica.co/especiales/lideres-sociales-en-colombia/que-puede-hacer-colombia-para-enfrentar-la-violencia-contra-los-lideres-3123675
El Universal. (2023). Cartagena reportó una tasa de homicidios de 25.2 por cada 100,000 habitantes. Recuperado de https://www.eluniversal.com.co/sucesos/2024/04/22/51-lideres-sociales-asesinados-en-colombia-en-2024-2-son-de-cartagena/.
El Consejo Nacional de Política Económica y Social (CONPES). (2021). Aprobado CONPES para proteger y promover la labor de los líderes sociales. Recuperado de https://2022.dnp.gov.co/Paginas/CONPES-para-proteger-y-promover-la-labor-de-los-lideres-sociales.aspx
Panchal, R. (2024, marzo 5). Social leadership: A guide to success in a connected world. Theleaderboy.com- Leadership Advice For Smart Leaders. https://theleaderboy.com/what-is-social-leadership/
Sánchez-Garzoli, G. (2022, noviembre 21). Social leaders and ethnic communities hard hit by Colombia’s violence. WOLA; Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). https://www.wola.org/2022/11/social-leaders-ethnic-communities-hard-hit-colombia-violence/
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