Indigenous Leaders in the Caribbean: The Cases of Benito Castillo, Mary Petro and Albert Mendoza.

Indigenous leaders Mary Petro, Albert Mendoza and Benito Castillo were murdered in the Colombian Caribbean in 2023.

Article written by Franklin Cervantes, Febe Peña & Ricardo Rincon.

In examining the landscape of Colombian socio-politics, the experiences of leaders representing indigenous communities emerge as poignant narratives. The cases of Benito Castillo Gutiérrez, Mary Petro Villalba and Albert Mendoza Corso encapsulate not only personal tragedy but also the broader challenges faced by indigenous leaders. Their stories intersect with recommendations found in reports from the Truth Commission, Amnesty International and observations made by national organizations such as Indepaz. These leaders, embedded in recent Colombian history, symbolize the struggles inherent in advocating for justice, human rights and cultural preservation within a nation marked by violence and conflict. By delving into their lives and untimely deaths, we aim to unravel not just individual narratives but also to gain a deeper understanding of the systematic challenges encountered by those at the forefront of indigenous representation in Colombia.

Our initial focus on the plight of leaders advocating for indigenous communities introduces the somber narrative of Benito Castillo. As a distinguished Wayuú leader actively contributing to economic collaborations between Venezuela and Colombia, Castillo's untimely demise raises pressing questions about the safety and security of those committed to cultural and economic initiatives within indigenous spheres. Benito Segundo Castillo Gutiérrez, a distinguished 65-year-old Wayuú leader, played a pivotal role in both Venezuela and Colombia. His leadership extended to being the president of a transport cooperative in Alta Guajira and the renowned Ayatawacoop fuel cooperative, where he was a founding member (Mejía, 2023). The unfortunate incident of this heinous crime unfolded as Castillo faced a brutal attack at his residence. According to witnesses, two motorcycles were involved, with one assailant approaching the house gate and firing indiscriminately at the people present (Mejía, 2023). The severity of Castillo's injuries, with two gunshot wounds, one in the trachea and another in the left maxillofacial area, led to his demise at a clinical center (Altamar, 2023). Castillo's leadership legacy, remembered as a key figure in legalizing the fuel export process from Venezuela to the Colombian coast, highlights the intersection of economic and indigenous advocacy dimensions (Diario del Norte, 2023). This tragic event underscores the risks indigenous leaders face, even those with significant roles in cross-border economic initiatives. The following paragraph will delve into the details of the case of another murdered indigenous leaders, that of Mary Petro, and will unveil the threats faced by indigenous leaders in their pursuit of justice and community well-being.

The ruthless assault on Mary Petro, a dedicated nurse and treasurer in the indigenous council of Cantagallo, Ciénaga de Oro, underscores the concerning vulnerability of those who serve their communities, prompting vital inquiries into the safety of rural healthcare workers in the Montería Metropolitan Area. The tragic incident involving the murder of nurse Mary Cruz Petro Villalba unfolded on the morning of April 25th (2023) in the rural area of Ciénaga de Oro, Córdoba. As reported by Infobae (2023b), Mary Cruz Petro was a well-known indigenous social leader associated with the Zenu community. At the time of the events, she held the position of treasurer in the ancestral community council in the municipality of Ciénaga de Oro, Cordoba. According to Cortés (2023), the police from the department of Cordoba provided information stating that the crime was committed by two hitmen armed with a firearm in the rural area of 'Salguero' as she was on her way to work in the morning hours. Preliminary reports, as highlighted by Hernández (2023), suggest that the motive behind the attack on Mary Cruz Petro may have been robbery. The assailants, attempting to steal her motorcycle, resorted to lethal force when she resisted, tragically ending her life instantly (Cuello, 2023). In response to the heinous incident, the community, along with local authorities, expressed profound outrage. Coordinated efforts were initiated to apprehend the culprits, including the announcement of a reward of up to 20 million pesos for information leading to the identification and prosecution of those responsible (Hernández, 2023). The incident has raised serious concerns about the overall security situation in the region, particularly considering the recent surge in robberies in the Montería Metropolitan Area. This insecurity can also be seen reflected in the case of a journalist who was murdered in Ciénaga de Oro, a month after the death of Cruz Petro. His name was Luis Gabriel Pereira, 25 years old, who served as the director of the news portal Notiorense. According to Agencia EFE (2023), he was approached by two hitmen on a motorcycle, from which they shot him several times, causing his death. The subsequent section will provide insight into the threats and violence faced by Albert Mendoza, highlighting the broader challenges encountered by leaders representing indigenous communities.

Albert Mendoza's tragic fate amid the Kankuamo Indigenous Reserve in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta area serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats and violence faced by indigenous leaders, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to safeguard their lives and preserve the cultural heritage of the Kankuamo community. Albert Camilo Mendoza Corso, a prominent indigenous leader and prosecutor for the Local Council of Elders in the Kankuamo community, met a tragic end on March 22nd (Europa Press, 2023). His lifeless body was discovered on a rural farm near Valledupar, bearing signs of a fatal blow to the head, possibly inflicted by a stone (Álvarez, 2023). Witnesses confirmed the head and facial injuries, indicating a brutal assault with blunt force (El Universal, 2023). Mendoza, also employed as a farm worker, served as the Prosecutor of the CKV Local Senior Council, adding layers to his community involvement (Álvarez, 2023). The circumstances surrounding Mendoza's demise are emblematic of broader issues within the Kankuamo Indigenous Reserve. The region grapples with a series of victimizing events and acts of violation, including threats, dissemination of counterfeit pamphlets using illegal armed groups' acronyms, and the incineration of culturally significant kankurwas (Infobae, 2023a), which are the major temples of the word, thought and reflection of the Arhuaco and Kankuamo culture. It is there where the three essential stages of the human being are enacted and ratified, the Gunseymuke (Baptism), the Munseimuke (Development) and the Juangawu (Marriage) (Despensa de la Sierra, 2022). These challenges highlight the perilous environment faced by indigenous leaders like Mendoza, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of systemic issues affecting social leaders in Colombia.

Upon closer examination of the pervasive violence against indigenous leaders in Colombia, it becomes evident that the cases of Benito Castillo, Mary Petro and Albert Mendoza mirror a broader pattern of challenges faced by social leaders in the country. These cases resonate with the findings and recommendations outlined in reports from the Truth Commission (2022), Amnesty International (2023) and observations by Indepaz (2023), revealing a distressing pattern of violence and threats against those advocating for justice, human rights, and cultural preservation. Benito Castillo's story exemplifies the risks faced by indigenous leaders involved in economic collaborations. His assassination, marked by a brutal attack, raises questions about the safety of individuals committed to both cultural and economic initiatives within indigenous spheres. This aligns with the broader context outlined in the Amnesty International Report (2023), indicating the alarming number of social leaders killed in Colombia and emphasizing the need for governments to ensure a safe environment for individuals to exercise their rights: In Colombia, at least 189 social leaders and human rights defenders were killed during 2022, reflecting an alarming situation that demands urgent attention and intervention. The tragic killing of Mary Petro, a dedicated nurse and indigenous leader, reveals the vulnerabilities of those serving their communities, particularly in rural areas. Her murder prompts critical inquiries into the safety of rural healthcare workers, echoing the concerns raised by the Truth Commission about violence against women and indigenous individuals (Truth Comission, 2022). The intersecting dimensions of gender-based violence and attacks on indigenous leaders underscore the multifaceted challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Albert Mendoza's fate amid the Kankuamo Indigenous Reserve illustrates the persistent threats and violence encountered by indigenous leaders. His tragic end aligns with the observations made by Indepaz, revealing a broader pattern of victimizing events and acts of violation within indigenous territories: Between November 24, 2016, and July 31, 2023, 1,513 social leaders and human rights defenders were assassinated, highlighting the alarming extent of the violence against social leaders over the years (Indepaz & Temblores, 2023), with over 400 of these victims belonging to indigenous communities The statistics further reveal that the people assassinated belonged mostly to the following social sectors: communal, civic, farmers and Afrodescendants. Indigenous leaders are often the most targeted due to their roles in defending the land (Indepaz & Temblores, 2023). The violence against these leaders reflects the urgent need for comprehensive measures to safeguard the lives of indigenous leaders and preserve their cultural heritage, as recommended by Amnesty International (2023).

In conclusion, the commonality in the challenges faced by leaders representing indigenous communities in Colombia points to a systemic issue that extends beyond individual cases. By examining these shared elements, it becomes evident that the violence against social leaders is deeply entrenched in the country's socio-political landscape. Understanding these patterns is crucial for formulating comprehensive strategies to ensure the safety and protection of leaders advocating for the rights of indigenous communities. Recommendations for addressing this critical situation include implementing enhanced protection measures, advocating for legal reforms, facilitating international oversight, promoting community empowerment and launching educational campaigns. Pursuing these recommendations collectively, involving the government, civil society, and international partners, is essential to address root causes and systemic issues, leading Colombia towards a more inclusive and just future. In essence, these individual narratives collectively highlight the shared challenges faced by leaders representing indigenous communities in Colombia (Amnesty International, 2023). The cases resonate with the recommendations provided by various reports, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure the safety, security, and protection of those at the forefront of indigenous representation. The pervasive nature of these challenges calls for a holistic and coordinated effort to address the root causes of violence and create an environment where indigenous leaders can advocate for their communities without fear for their lives.

References

Agencia EFE. (2023). Asesinan a periodista en Ciénaga de Oro, Córdoba. El Heraldo. https://www.elheraldo.co/cordoba/asesinan-al-periodista-luis-gabriel-pereira-del-portal-notiorense-en-cienaga-de-oro-cordoba

Altamar, N. (2023). Líder Wayúu fue asesinado en ataque sicarial en Maicao, La Guajira. RCN Radio. https://www.rcnradio.com/colombia/caribe/lider-wayuu-fue-asesinado-en-ataque-sicarial-en-maicao-la-guajira

Álvarez, D. (2023). Líder indígena de Valledupar habría sido asesinado a pedradas cuando trabajaba. El Tiempo. https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/otras-ciudades/valledupar-lider-indigena-fue-hallado-muerto-en-una-via-rural-752507

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