FARC murder Colombian farmers' leader

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Thursday August 25, 2005 21:23 by Colombia Solidarity Network - Colombia Solidarity Network colombia at lasc dot ie

Left wing farmer murdered by FARC

Various organisations in Colombia have demanded of the FARC that they explain themselves. Not for the first time they ahve murdered a left wing opponent

The Undersigned Organisations Support The Demands For Truth In The Murder Of The Community Leader Of Catatumbo

JOSÉ TRINIDAD TORRES

One month has elapsed since the murder of the leader of the Committee for Social Integration of Catatumbo (CISCA), JOSÉ TRINIDAD TORRES MUÑOZ carried out by members of the FARC. Up till now the FARC haven’t given any explanation to the communities of the region as to why they cut down the life of this man who was so important to the process of resistance in Catatumbo.

Who was JOSÉ TRINIDAD TORRES, or TRINO as we affectionately called him?

He was a man in love with Catatumbo, its land, its people, a man with the spirit of a natural community builder, put to the test in the physical and social construction of San Juancito. This wide ranging and deep view of life took on greater dimensions when he began to build the project for regional integration together with the other leaders of the Communal Action Committees, cooperatives and other associations in Upper and Lower Catatumbo.

In line with his ideals TRINO was a founder of the Committee for Social Integration of Catatumbo, CISCA, which today is present throughout the region, recovering the organizational ability of the people of Catatumbo, their ideas and acts of change and liberation.

For TRINO his word were his deeds. His leadership style was exemplary. The social practice of TRINO, his solidarity, honesty, his collective spirit and his faith in the future were the strength of his leadership and support. Consequently the concrete economic, social and political achievements in the development of the communities carry his imprint forming a testimonial manifesto to guide the path in the construction of the Plan for Life that the organisations in Catatumbo agreed upon as plan for change.

TRINO TORRES understood that the desires of the people of Catatumbo would only be fulfilled in the greatness of their land. Alongside his wife, they placed themselves at the head of the decision of the people not to abandon their land by organising internal displacements to fight the operations of the paramilitaries and Colombian army.

Through these initiatives in which the leaders were protected, he understood that the process of integration, life and territory in Catatumbo was a process of social resistance against the greed and plans of intervention designed in the centres of national and international capital.

For all of the above, the political maturity of TRINO led him to take on board that all those who had made the history of Catatumbo could contribute their ideals and experiences to bring to fruition the hope of this land organised in CISCA and the Plan for Life.

His natural leadership ability was also recognised by the National Agrarian Coordination (CNA) where he took part in the national leadership as a delegate for CISCA. It was precisely at this point of expanding and deepening his commitment, in which TRINO opened up permanent dialogue with different social and political sectors as well as institutions in the region and country, that traitors laid an ambush for him. The communities of Catatumbo can find no other word to describe his murder.

What is behind the murder of TRINO?

If the project for the life of Catatumbo wasn’t the idea that TRINO defended, then what was it? This is the question that the communities ask themselves now. If it isn’t integration, is it hegemony? If not diversity, is it homogeneity? In conclusion, what was the political aim behind this attack on the social process in Catatumbo?

Only those who appropriate for themselves the right to put forward a strategy for the country ignoring the fact that many social sectors can develop projects for life based on their own ideas and experiences could conspire to kill TRINO TORRES. However, on his grave the community in Catatumbo swore to continue and fulfil the dreams that they dreamt of together with Trino.

One month has elapsed and we hope that not another day elapses without those responsible explaining what were the political motives behind the murder of this leader, condemnable by any standard, which contributes nothing to the search for peace with social justice for the valiant people of Catatumbo.

With admiration, respect and loyalty that we have for the communities of Catatumbo and the pain of seeing one of their best sacrificed, the national and international organisations that have accompanied this social process demand the authors of the crime make a statement and respond to the clamour for justice of the communities of the region.


Asociación MINGA
National Agrarian Coordination (CNA)
Corporación Sembrar
Red Europea de Hermandad y Solidaridad con Colombia (REDHER)