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Land claimant Emiro Sanchez and rural leader Neider Alzate were both murdered in Córdoba within a couple of weeks of one another in 2023.
Article written by Isabella Sanchez with contributions from Salwa Muvdi & Francisco Rojas
Colombia, a nation of stunning natural beauty and rich cultural diversity, has witnessed decades of violence and armed conflict that have left a deep mark on its society and history. Since the mid-20th century, this South American country has faced persistent challenges in the form of guerrilla insurgencies, paramilitaries, drug trafficking, and a complex network of armed conflicts that have claimed the lives of thousands of people and displaced millions of Colombians. Despite continued efforts to achieve peace and stability, violence and conflict have persisted, affecting rural and urban communities alike, although some much more than others. This text will focus primarily on the region of Córdoba, which “historically has been characterized by having a differentiated presence of the State and a complex geographical system that made it a key scene of the internal armed conflict, cradle of multiple armed actors ranging from guerrillas, paramilitaries and currently Organized Armed Groups.” (Pineda, 2018). In this context of a lack of a thorough state presence, leading to the proliferation of illegal armed groups and the violation of human rights of its inhabitants, social leaders have played a fundamental role in the fight for land rights and the protection of vulnerable communities. However, this work has been dangerous, and many leaders have been killed by illegal armed groups, or other interested parties, seeking to silence their voices and maintain control in the region, resulting in a reality “that puts tension and reveals the inequalities and needs of a society that has not stopped feeling violence as the organizer of social relations” (Estrada, 2015). According to data from the Observatory of Restitution and Regulation of Agrarian Land Rights, the category of rural leaders contributes more than 60 victims a year, that is, at least one per week and it is for this reason those various observers, scholars and researchers "have come to the conclusion that the assassination of leaders is a systematic phenomenon." (Gutierrez, et al. 2020). Among the most recent cases of murdered social leaders in the department of Córdoba are the cases of Neider de Jesús Alzate Correa and Emiro Nel Sánchez Medrano, two social leaders who dedicated their lives to the fight for human rights. In this article, we will delve deeper into the stories of Neider and Emiro, as well as other social leaders who have been killed in Córdoba, to explore their stories and the context of violence in the region of Córdoba. The article will also reflect on the importance of the fight for human rights in departments such as Córdoba, and throughout Colombia, as well as the need to protect social leaders who work for the well-being of their communities.
The violence in Córdoba and other regions of Colombia is rooted in a complex web of factors, including the country’s long-standing armed conflict, the cultivation and trafficking of illicit drugs, and the complicity or indifference of some members of the political class with illegal armed groups. The department is home to strategic places such as the Nudo del Paramillo, which serves as a corridor for drug trafficking and a hiding place for drug factories. The region has also seen a history of collusion between politicians and elites with illegal armed groups, which has allowed these groups to operate with impunity and commit human rights violations. The signing of the peace agreement in 2016 was a significant step towards ending the armed conflict in Colombia, but the implementation of the agreement has been slow and incomplete, leaving many regions vulnerable to violence and instability. Social leaders face threats within such a context as the face of their community. Neider de Jesús Alzate Correa was a member of the Asociación de Campesinos del Sur de Córdoba (ASCSUCOR), an organization that works to defend the rights of rural workers and promote sustainable development in the region; he also was a beneficiary of the Programa Nacional Integral de Sustitución de Cultivos Ilícitos (PNIS crop substitution program), which according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is an initiative that works with the main objective of reducing the production of illicit crops - such as coca and poppy - through voluntary and concerted substitution of these crops for legal and alternative crops. On the other hand, Neider was also a member of the Patriotic March, a political movement that advocates for social justice and peace in Colombia. On June 5th 2023 Alzate was traveling towards a piece of land he owned that was about 45 minutes from the town of Juan José, according to reports given by the Córdoba Police department. He was suddenly stopped on the way and the target of a vicious attack in which he was shot dead. Sadly, such violence against activists, social leaders and human rights defenders is a common reality in Córdoba.
Neider’s murder is not a singular occurrence in the area. Neo-paramilitary organizations, such the Clan del Golfo, sometimes known as the Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia, or simply the AGC, are a huge threat to Cordoba's south, where they hold effective control over the territory. These criminal groups have a terrifying grip on the neighborhoods and rural areas and have instilled violence and dread. On May 28th 2023, another farmer and 49-year-old member of the Association of Peasants of Southern Córdoba (ASCSUCOR) perished in similar circumstances. Like Neider Alzate, Waldimiro Tirado Vega was also associated with the PNIS crop substitution program, in addition to his activities as a social activist. Local, regional and national authorities have been warned about the dangers posed by the presence of illegal armed groups such as the AGC, particularly to communities and leaders who had signed up to the PNIS crop substitution programs, with these programs and their emphasis on moving rural communities away from illicit crops being viewed as a hindrance to the drug trafficking pursued by illegal organizations at the national and international level. José David Ortega, spokesperson for the Southern Córdoba Peasant Association, has made repeated calls for more to be done, but the situation remains the same. Córdoba is the Caribbean region with the highest number of social leader murders; most of these cases being related to leaders involved in crop substitution processes. Nevertheless, illicit crops are not the only factor in terms of violence against social leaders in Córdoba.
Emiro Nel Sánchez Medrano, a prominent social leader and land claimant in Colombia, fell victim to violence on June 12th 2023 in the municipality of San Pelayo, in the metropolitan area of Montería (El Heraldo, 2023). His murder has elicited deep indignation in society and has underscored the perilous situation that those who strive for land restitution in a country marked by decades of armed conflict face. Emiro Sánchez was the president of the Land Restitution Foundation (Fuvirtcan), an organization that brings together families displaced by illegal groups in the departments of Córdoba and Antioquia. He was also a member of the National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE), a network of organizations that works to defend the victims of human rights violations in Colombia. Sánchez Medrano dedicated his life to the cause of reclaiming the lands that were taken from his mother and many others who suffered forced displacement due to widespread violence in the Urabá region of Antioquia and in Córdoba. In addition to seeking justice for his own family, Emiro Sánchez became an influential leader in defending the rights of victims of displacement, tirelessly fighting for the restitution of lands and territories that rightfully belonged to them. His work as a social leader and advocate for the rights of victims of the armed conflict in Colombia earned him the respect and admiration of his community and those who fight for justice in the country.
On the day Emiro Sánchez lost his life, he had been summoned to a meeting led by the Unit for Land Restitution (URT) in Apartadó on June 8 and 9 (El Heraldo, 2023). According to Law 1448 of 2011, the URT is a government entity responsible for restoring the rights of victims to their lands and territories in areas affected by armed conflict (URT, 2021). This meeting aimed to disseminate the work that the URT carries out for land restitution in the Urabá region of Antioquia and Córdoba, emphasizing the significance of their work in the region. It is worth noting that in both Córdoba and nearby areas like Urabá (Antioquia), many families were forcibly displaced during the armed conflict in Colombia. These people, like Emiro Sánchez, have undertaken an unrelenting struggle to recover the lands that were taken from them, representing a fundamental part of their identity and livelihood. According to the report by the UN's Commission for Historical Clarification, in Colombia, forced displacement was a deliberate strategy by illegal armed actors to control territories and resources (UNHCR, 2016). This strategy left a legacy of suffering and dispossession that many victims, like Emiro Sánchez, seek to reverse through land restitution processes.
In Colombia, the legacy of nearly seven decades of internal conflict has left a trail of forcibly displaced families seeking to reclaim their land, as illustrated by the cases of Hernán "Po" Bermúdez in La Guajira and Teófilo Acuña and Jorge Tafur in Cesar. These stories emphasize the persistent struggle of countless victims who were uprooted from their homes during the conflict and are now engaged in the challenging process of land restitution. The common thread that binds these cases is the enduring impact of the conflict, where land disputes, violence, and threats against social leaders persist, hindering the efforts to secure justice and reclaim the lands that rightfully belong to these families and their communities. This shared reality is a testament to the profound and widespread challenges faced by victims of forced displacement across the region, reflecting the ongoing struggle to redress the injustices wrought by the conflict's enduring legacy. The murder of Hernán Bermúdez, Emiro Nel Sánchez Medrano and Neider de Jesús Alzate Correa are a tragic reminder of the need to protect social leaders who fight for justice and land restitution in Colombia. As stated by the URT's director general, Giovani Yule, “...to fulfill the commitment that the voices of those who justifiably claim their rights to life, nature, lands, and territories cannot be silenced” (URT, 2023). These act of violence underscores the urgent need to prevent and prosecute those responsible for these violent acts to ensure that the legitimate claims of victims can continue in a safe environment. The country calls for a national peace project, and reconciliation is the path to follow to achieve it. Colombian society must unite to protect social leaders and work towards a long-term solution that restores the rights of displaced victims and builds a safer and more just future for all Colombians. In the words of Truth Commissioner Carlos Ospina towards the armed groups, “We say to the violent ones, let's not kill our leaders anymore. The Commission is deeply hurt by these murders because they distance us from reconciliation and accentuate hatred and hopelessness." (AIL, 2020), where at the second meeting in 2020 of the Truth Commission, all participants agreed that the path is reconciliation in the national peace project that the country demands and that the Government of Change proposes.
Both Neider Alzate and Emiro Sánchez were known for their commitment to nonviolence and their tireless efforts to promote peace and justice in their communities, and now they are two of the many social leaders who have been killed in Córdoba and other regions of Colombia in recent years. According to the Institute of Studies for Development and Peace (Indepaz), at least 1,542 social leaders and human rights defenders have been killed in Colombia since the signing of the peace agreement in 2016 (as of October 1st, 2023). Of this figure, 68 of these murders have occurred in the department of Córdoba. In Córdoba, other social leaders such as María del Pilar Hurtado have been murdered, further illustrating the dangers faced by those who speak out against violence and injustice. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for the Colombian government to take action to protect social leaders and human rights defenders, and to address the root causes of violence in the country, because “the murder of social leaders is explained as a way of intimidation of political activity, which interrupts the social processes promoted by the executed leaders and leads to the displacement of other social leaders” (National Center of Historical Memory, 2016).
The impact of the armed conflict in the south of Córdoba, as in other parts of the department, has been significant and has left deep marks on the population and the region in general. Some of the most specific impacts in this area are forced displacement, with high levels due to the presence and clashes between illegal armed groups like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), paramilitaries, and other insurgent groups, leading to local communities being displaced from their homes in search of safety. This displacement is accompanied by violence, including selective murders, kidnappings, and threats by armed groups, creating a climate of fear and mistrust in the region. Additionally, the armed conflict has negatively impacted the economy and development of southern Córdoba, with insecurity and the presence of illegal armed groups discouraging investments and affecting agricultural production, limiting economic opportunities for the local population. On the other hand, illicit crops, particularly coca related to drug trafficking, have also been prevalent, with armed groups often controlling these crops and using the proceeds from drug production to finance their activities. However, despite efforts to implement the PNIS, the reality in many parts of Colombia, including southern Córdoba, has been complex and challenging. Security conditions remain precarious, and increased violence and murders of social leaders and human rights defenders have cast a dark shadow over the implementation of the peace agreements. In the south of Córdoba, this situation has manifested itself especially harshly, since the region has witnessed an alarming increase in the murders of social leaders since the signing of the peace treaty. These leaders, many of whom were involved in promoting the substitution of illicit crops and defending human rights in their communities, have been targets of illegal armed groups and violent actors seeking to maintain control of the region and its illicit activities and in the words of the president of the Truth Commission, Francisco De Roux, “for the Commission, all human lives have the same value, but to assassinate a leader is to put an end to the good life of that community and to destroy it. The Commission expresses indignation and protest and calls on the agencies of the State to be truly effective." (AIL, 2020).
While there has been progress in peace processes with some guerrilla groups since the peace agreement, such as the FARC, in the south of Córdoba and other parts of the country, the implementation of these agreements has been uneven, and since the signing of it, there has been an “increased violence by new armed groups has resulted in killings, forced recruitment -- including of children -- gender-based violence and limited access to education, water and sanitation, as well as movement restrictions and forced displacement of the civilian population.” (UNHCR, 2017) and some ex-combatants have continued to operate in the region. Reintegration of ex-combatants into society and the promotion of reconciliation in southern Córdoba are important challenges, highlighting the need to address not only the cessation of armed conflict but also the underlying causes of violence and the promotion of reconciliation among affected communities. This phenomenon represents a significant challenge for peacebuilding in Colombia and underscores the importance of addressing not only the eradication of illicit crops, but also the safety and protection of those working to promote legal alternatives and respect for human rights. in conflict-affected areas. The violence against social leaders in the south of Córdoba and in other parts of the country is a reminder that peacebuilding in Colombia remains a complicated process and that it requires continuous efforts to guarantee the security and well-being of those who fight. for a more peaceful and just future in the country.
In conclusion, the tragic stories of social leaders like Neider de Jesús Alzate Correa and Emiro Nel Sánchez Medrano in Córdoba and other regions of Colombia highlight the urgent need to protect those who work tirelessly for peace, justice, and the rights of their communities. "It is unfortunate because what we have warned about in several scenarios is being fulfilled. I did so before the Human Rights Commission of the Senate and the Humanitarian Roundtable, denouncing the conflict in the south of Cordoba, with a population in general at risk," (El Tiempo, 2023), José David Ortega said. The ongoing violence and threats against social leaders demonstrate the complex challenges that persist in Colombia, even after the signing of the peace agreement in 2016. It is essential for the Colombian government and society to address the root causes of violence, ensure the safety of social leaders, and work towards a more peaceful and just future for the country. The protection of these leaders is crucial in building a lasting peace and reconciliation in Colombia, "and even more so now when the FARC dissidents are trying to take over the territories and the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC) are trying to prevent them from doing so, leaving the peasants in the middle of the fire and paying the consequences," said leader Jose David Ortega (El Tiempo, 2023). In closing, the stories of social leaders like Neider de Jesús Alzate Correa and Emiro Nel Sánchez Medrano remind us of the incredible resilience and courage displayed by individuals in the face of adversity. These leaders, despite the grave risks they face, stand as beacons of hope and determination, striving for a better Colombia for all. Their unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and the rights of their communities is an inspiration for us all. It is a reminder that positive change is possible, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Their sacrifice serves as a call to action for all of us. We must not only honor their memory but also join in their mission to create a safer, more just, and more peaceful Colombia. The path to a brighter future requires our collective effort and determination. Let their stories be a catalyst for change, a reminder that we all have a role to play in shaping the destiny of our nation. Let us come together, protect our social leaders, and work hand in hand towards a Colombia where peace and justice prevail. Together, we can make their dreams a reality, and in doing so, honor their invaluable contributions to our shared journey towards a more harmonious and equitable society.
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