PBI-Colombia accompanies Peace Community of San José de Apartadó on anniversary of massacre in the Mulatos and La Resbalosa settlements

On February 22, PBI-Colombia posted:

“Yesterday we accompanied the Community of Peace in memory of Luis Eduardo Guerra, founder of the Community, his partner Bellanira Areiza and his son Deiner Andrés Guerra; Alfonso Bolívar Tuberquia, coordinator of the Humanitarian Zone of La Resbalosa, his partner Sandra Milena Muñoz Posso, Natalia and Santiago, their two children.”

Their post provides the additional context:

“On February 21, 2005 in #Mulatos and the #Resbalosa 7 members of the Comunidad de Paz San José de Apartadó were killed, including 4 minors and founding leaders. The massacre was perpetrated by the Army and paramilitary. 18 years later the Peace Community persists in its fight against impunity.

The belligerent actions against the Peace Community were not new and would not cease after the massacre of #Mulatos and the #Resbalosa. Constant attacks and attacks against the Community were followed by its refusal to have a military presence on its territory.

The Community, which 26 years ago declared its territory neutral and free from armed groups, continues to ask for #justice for the massacre, and denounces that violence is still alive in its territory, where paramilitary raids under high presence of the Army are constant.”

Last year, PBI-Colombia had also tweeted:

“PBI accompanied @cdpsanjose [Peace Community of San José de Apartadó] in commemoration of the massacre of #Mulatos and #Resbalosa, perpetrated on February 21, 2005, by the Army and AUC [United Self-Defences of Colombia] paramilitaries. 7 members of the @cdpsanjose were killed, including 4 minors and founding leaders.

Of the 66 soldiers investigated for their possible participation in the #massacre, only 6 were convicted and most of the high-ranking officers were released. Despite this, the @cdpsanjose has not lost hope that one day the truth will be clarified.”

PBI-Colombia has accompanied the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó since 1999.