The Violence which Stalks Leaders in Córdoba

Mary Emilse Bailarín, Edwin Tapia and Luis Mendoza are among the more than 70 local leaders who have been murdered in Córdoba since November 2016.

Article written by Diana Charris, Nicole Quijano & Gabriela Saavedra

The armed conflict has affected many regions of Colombia, leaving a huge number of issues that continue to impact Colombian society to this day due to general bad management. One of these regions has been the department of Córdoba, where there are situations of vulnerability that affect its inhabitants. Currently, the department has high numbers of selective homicides, selective displacements, and forced disappearances as a result of violence by various illegal armed groups in these areas. According to Silvia Corredor Rodríguez et al, between 2016-2020, there have been at least 111 attacks, including murders and threats, against men and women who have supported the substitution of crops for illicit use, the implementation of the Peace Agreement (established with the FARC guerrillas in 2016) and processes of social organization.  Figures typically involved in activism and in these types of movements are often referred to as social leaders in Colombia. Since the 2016 agreement, over 1,600 such social leaders have been murdered in Colombia according to Indepaz. Córdoba, with 71 social leaders murdered during this period, has the highest rate of leaders murdered in the departments in the Caribbean region. Despite the collective efforts of social groups, non-governmental organizations, and others, these situations require greater state intervention. The region's development plans, and the constant presence of the State will be fundamental to minimizing and/or eradicating the violent situations that face social leaders in Córdoba. This text will explore this worrying trend in the department by looking at three recent cases of social leaders who have been murdered in the department.    

On May 9th, 2024, the body of Mary Emilse Bailarín Domico was discovered in a rural area of Tierralta, in the south of Córdoba. Mary Emilse was 22 years old and pertained to the Embera Katio indigenous group, and indigenous community of Alto Sinú, which has suffered greatly due to the threat of violence and forced displacement. She was recognized as a cultural leader within her community and made a living from selling crafts. It is unclear at the time of writing whether her murder had anything to do with her status as an indigenous leader, or whether it was a feminicide. What is clear is that indigenous communities in Córdoba have a long history of violence and oppression. The Zenú people, one of the largest indigenous groups in the region, have suffered greatly from the armed conflict, forced displacement, and violence against their leaders (Truth Commission, 2023). In 2023, indigenous leaders in Córdoba warned about severe threats to their lives (JEP, 2023). The case of Kimy Pernía, an indigenous leader from Córdoba who disappeared in 2001, exemplifies the risks historically faced by those defending indigenous rights in the region (El Espectador, 2021). Other similar recent cases in the department include the killings of indigenous leaders such as Oscar Domicó, as reported by La Libertad Sublime in 2022, while the tragic deaths of Benito Castillo, Mary Petro, and Albert Mendoza demonstrate the dangers faced by indigenous representatives in Córdoba and elsewhere in the Caribbean region. These violent acts not only terrorize the communities but also hinder their access to basic necessities such as education, healthcare, and clean water. These cases of violence against social leaders highlight a concerning lack of tools and actions by authorities in the department to address the ongoing crisis. The repeated loss of life and the impunity surrounding these crimes underscore an urgent need for concrete and effective measures to protect those who advocate for the rights of communities and the environment. By acknowledging and addressing the specific threats faced by indigenous communities, the government can begin to address the root causes of violence and discrimination in these marginalized communities.  

The murder of leaders like the ones mentioned above are not isolated incidents but rather part of an alarming pattern of violence against social leaders in Colombia. This situation not only affects indigenous leaders but also extends to those advocating for environmental protection. Like indigenous leaders, environmental defenders have also faced threats and violence. This connection underscores the tragic reality faced by those striving to improve the living conditions of their communities and protect the environment, often encountering significant risks in the process. Environmental defenders in this region fight to protect biodiversity, natural resources and local communities, but are often confronted by other actors seeking to exploit the land without restrictions. As violence against leaders escalates, so does the urgency to protect these brave activists and ensure their right to advocate for the planet without fear. In Colombia, especially in the department of Córdoba, being an environmental leader has become a high-risk job due to the high rates of violence in these territories. According to the Global Witness report, in the year 2022, Colombia turned out to be the deadliest country in the world with 60 deaths of environmental leaders, which represented more than a third of all murders worldwide and evidenced the increase of homicides involving land and environmental defenders compared to the year 2021. As violence against leaders escalates, so does the urgency to protect these brave activists and ensure their right to advocate for the planet without fear of reprisal or even death.  One recent example of the violence faced by environmental defenders in the department of Córdoba is the case of Luis Mendoza, who was a social and environmental leader of the Mojana and San Jorge and was killed by a hired assassin on November 25th, 2023 (Pineda 2023). These facts only evidence that violence in Cordoba has been an instrument to silence the voices of those who fight for local communities and the environment. This may be due, according to Mansilla (2022), to the great natural wealth of the department such as natural parks, lagoons, landscapes, peri-urban areas and even natural monuments that make the province of Córdoba an extraordinarily valuable territory for the countless species of flora and fauna that are scattered throughout the territory. Given the various episodes of violence against environmental leaders who only seek to protect this great natural wealth, there is a great need for state intervention in the preservation of natural resources and the lives of environmental leaders, as stated by the BBC (2023).   

When looking at the department of Cordoba, it is noticeable that there is a clear problem regarding the issue that is land restitution. This issue is deeply rooted in the violence and struggles stemming from internal conflict lived in Colombia. A vivid example of this is the case of Edwin Tapia. Edwin was a social leader and advocate for land rights in Colombia. He bravely championed his father's land claim, driven by a deep sense of justice and a commitment to reclaiming what was rightfully theirs. His family was one of the many victims of displacement by armed groups that sought control over territories, and this gave him the courage to become an advocate for land rights and restitution. However, despite his efforts to reclaim their lands, Edwin and the community of Tierralta faced constant threats and suffered from the intimidation of these armed groups that controlled their territories. Edwin Tapia was wrongfully murdered by armed men while riding his motorcycle in Palmira village, Aguas Vivas. When farmers found him, he had been shot in the head. His death shows that there is a pattern of violence and murder against indigenous leaders, environmental defenders and human right advocates in Cordoba. Activists like Edwin are systematically targeted for working with their communities and daring to challenge powerful interests. Edwin’s story is a testimony to the ongoing fight for land rights and how much is at stake when seeking restitution in Colombia. However, to provide a deeper understanding, it is crucial to understand Edwin's story within the broader landscape of land restitution and displacement in Cordoba. According to Human Rights Watch (2013), "Over the past 30 years, abuses and violence associated with Colombia’s internal armed conflict have driven more than 4.8 million Colombians from their homes, generating the world’s largest population of internally displaced persons (IDPs).” Moreover, pressure on those seeking restitution extends beyond killings, encompassing widespread death threats against claimants, their families, and advocates supporting them.  One of the most common forms of social leadership pertains to those who participate in their local Junta de Accion Comunal, or communal action boards. Both Edwin Tapia and Luis Mendoza were involved in these micro-organizations that allow effective representation for small communities, something that is especially important in isolated rural areas. In January 2024, Jose Gregorio Naranjo, president of the communal action board in the area of Carrizal, San Carlos, became yet another victim of crimes against social leaders when he was shot dead at his home. Jose Gregorio had been involved in projects looking to improve the lives of those living in precarious circumstances. His murder, like that of Luis and Edwin, leaves a community without a valuable leader. Ultimately, the social development of the department of Córdoba also suffers due to these terrible crimes. 

Overall, the cases that were studied and explored in this article highlight the continuous violence that the different social leaders face in Colombia, and more specifically in the department of Cordoba. Ranging from indigenous representatives like Mary Emilse Bailarín Domico and communal leaders such as Jose Gregorio Naranjo to environmental defenders and land right activists like Luis Mendoza and Edwin Tapia, leaders who work to overcome social struggles suffer the coercion and brutality enforced by armed groups in their territories. These are issues that are rooted in the historical conflict of Colombia.  It is crucial to understand the connection between the murders of these social leaders and the lingering legacy of the armed conflict. Despite the signing of the peace agreement, issues over land and its use remain unresolved. The peace agreement and the truth commission acknowledged the historical injustices and aimed to address them, but there is still much to do and a long way to go in order to be able to tackle these issues. The truth commission shed light on the atrocities committed during the conflict, including the violence against social leaders fighting for land rights. However, the peace process has not yet fully addressed the underlying causes of these conflicts, such as unequal land distribution. Moving forward, it will be necessary to promote dialogue and cooperation in order to address and reduce the violence faced by social leaders in Córdoba; there needs to be mutual action between the government, civilians, and local communities to ensure the implementation of the peace agreement's provisions related to land restitution.  By addressing the legacy of the armed conflict and working towards justice, Colombia, its government and its citizens can create a more peaceful and equitable society for everyone.    

References: 

Almost 2,000 land and environmental defenders killed between 2012 and 2022 for protecting the planet. (2023). Global Witness. https://www.globalwitness.org/en/press-releases/almost-2000-land-and-environmental-defenders-killed-between-2012-and-2022-protecting-planet/ 

Colombia deadliest country for environmentalists - report. (2023, September 12). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-66784686 

Garcia, S. (2021, June 9). Land restitution: A dangerous job in Colombia. InSight Crime. https://insightcrime.org/news/criminal-groups-trail-land-restitution-efforts-colombia/ 

Mansilla, P. (2022, November 20). La riqueza ambiental de Córdoba. Diario Córdoba. https://www.diariocordoba.com/cambio-climatico/2022/11/20/riqueza-ambiental-cordoba-78673323.html 

Otis, J. (2023, December 6). Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world for environmental defenders. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/12/06/1214170818/colombia-environmentalists-murders-latin-america 

Pineda, J. (2023, Noviembre 27). Autoridades investigan la muerte del líder social Luis Mendoza en Pueblo Nuevo, Córdoba. Caracol Radio. https://caracol.com.co/2023/11/27/autoridades-investigan-la-muerte-del-lider-social-luis-mendoza-en-pueblo-nuevo-cordoba/ 

‌¿Quiénes amenazan y asesinan a los líderes sociales en el sur de Córdoba? (n.d.). La Paz En El Terreno.  https://lapazenelterreno.com/mapas-de-riesgo/amenazas-asesinan-lideres-sur-cordoba/ 

Schoening, M. (2013). The risk of returning home: Violence and threats against displaced people reclaiming land in Colombia. Human Rights Watch.