PBI-Colombia accompanies Nomadesc and Intercultural University of the Peoples on territorial tour to Bahía Málaga
On November 1, PBI-Colombia posted on social media:
“We accompanied @nomadescdh [the Association for Research and Social Action] and the UIP [Intercultural University of the Peoples] on their third territorial tour, ‘an open-air learning experience’.
We observed this sky from the Bahía Málaga Community Council, made up of four communities: La Sierpe, Mangaña, Miramar and La Plata.
The Council is resisting threats to dispossess them of their territory and the entry of armed actors, promoting responsible productive projects such as community tourism.
On this occasion, we also paid tribute to Alán Valencia, a young man from the community who was killed in September as a result of the violence. We did so through words, song and dance, reaffirming his memory and the collective strength of the community.
The relevant authorities must respond to the situation of the Community Council and Buenaventura.”
Nomadesc has also posted on social media:
“From October 24th to 27th, we made our second territorial tour of the Intercultural University of Pueblos. On this occasion we head to the Community Council of Bahía Málaga, specifically to the island La Plata, where we were received with a great load of good energies and the warm feeling of the community for our presence…”
In the news
La Plata
This past March, Soy de Buenaventura reported: “The Community Council of La Plata – Bahía Málaga, in Buenaventura, is one step away from making the La Sierpe Waterfalls Tourist Trail a reality, a project that has been working together for more than six years between the community, the District Administration and various national and international entities. Santiago Valencia González, community leader and tourism manager in the area, stressed that this initiative not only benefits Bahía Málaga, but all of Buenaventura, improving the tourist offer and economic opportunities in the region.”
Then in April, Q’hubo Cali reported: “The growing wave of violence that is hitting Buenaventura, in Valle del Cauca, has set off alarms in the local tourism sector. A few days before the start of Holy Week, one of the most anticipated seasons for economic reactivation, hotels, tour operators and coastal communities report a significant decrease in reservations, attributed to the fear generated by the presence and actions of illegal armed groups in the area. Emblematic destinations such as Playa Chucheros, Bahía Málaga, La Barra and Juanchaco have experienced a notable reduction in the influx of tourists.”
Alán Valencia
This past September, El Pais reported: “Communities of Buenaventura denounced the murder of Alan Josué Valencia, a 17-year-old social and youth leader from the port of Valle del Cauca, last Thursday, September 11. Alan Josué … exercised his leadership in areas such as Bahía Málaga, seeking to help young people like him to get away from the world of violence.”
El Tiempo also noted: “Following the young man’s murder, the Community Council of Black Communities of Bahía Málaga issued a statement in honour of Valencia Cuero. It reads: ‘Our reborn people deserve to live in peace. Alan’s departure leaves a huge void in the territory. His legacy, his struggle and his love for life and the land will continue to guide our steps. We will continue to resist, for memory, for life and for the territory!’”
PBI-Canada visit to La Plata, Bahía Málaga
In the early morning hours of July 3, 2022, we departed Cali for Buenaventura. After a boat ride to the island of La Plata, we joined Nomadesc and a Canadian labour delegation to hear the Afro-Colombian community of Bahia Malaga on the threat of “conservation” to ancestral and collective rights. On the way to the island, we saw dolphins and a whale in the area where there is the threat of the channel being dredged for a deep water port and an expanded Colombian military base.
Accompaniment
Peace Brigades International has accompanied the Association for Research and Social Action (NOMADESC) since 2011 and its president Berenice Celeita since 1999.
Additional reading
PBI-Colombia accompanied NOMADESC calls for protection measures after attack on Bahía Málaga in the rural area of Buenaventura (PBI-Canada article, January 24, 2024)
PBI-Colombia joins with Nomadesc in mourning the murder of 17-year-old social leader Alan Josué Valencia Cuero (PBI-Canada article, September 16, 2025)
Photo-journal of 10-day PBI-Canada visit to frontline communities in Colombia (PBI-Canada article, July 8, 2022).
