Economic Blockade in San Francisco, in the Cimitarra River Valley

27.01.07

CAHUCOPANA

According to the Corporation Humanitarian Action for Coexistence and Peace in the Nordeste Antioqueño, on Wednesday, January 17th, members of the 14th Brigade of the Colombian Army who are stationed in the settlement of San Francisco in the municipality of Yondó, Antioquia, retained cargo belonging to Mr. Mirle Mendoza. According to the troops, the retention was justified because the goods were intended for the “FARC guerillas”.

Mr. Mendoza was summoned by the soldiers and told that he could only bring 1,200,000 Colombian pesos (520 dollars) worth of goods into the settlement.

This behavior on the part of the Army has caused various stores to close, as in the case of Mr. Enrique Guerra’s store in the settlement of Ojos Claros.

The troops stationed in San Francisco, under the command of Major Fonseca and First Sargent Ruiz, have also been carrying out random registries of the campesinos traveling in the region.

Furthermore, CAHUCOPANA reports that the military operation continues in the settlement of Lejanías (in the municipality of Remedios, Antioquia), creating the imminent threat of forced displacement from the zone.

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