Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - At least 35,000 dead in 40 years of fighting. Fides asked Bishop Oscar José Vélez Isaza C.M.F., Bishop of the diocese of Valledupar, for testimony on the situation of violence and bloodshed in Colombia, the causes and also the commitment of the Church to restore peace, commitment which has taken a high tribute of blood with priest, religious and laity killed. Here is the interview.
How were the armed groups in Colombia formed?
The left wing guerrillas were born under the banner of Marxist ideology to fight social injustice and the poverty of the people. The people who started these groups thought that the way to solve Colombia’s social and economic problems was to organise a rebellion to take power and then change the situation. On the other side, right wing paramilitary AUC (Autodefensas unidas de Colombia) were born to defend rich land owners and cattle farmers from attacks by the left wing guerrillas, because the government was unable to guarantee security.
Like the left wing guerrillas, once they obtained arms, money and the power of violence the paramilitary lost sight of the ideals for which they were born and instead of defending people they became the worst oppressors. During their attacks they extort money, kill, kidnap, rob, beat people accusing them of supporting the opposite guerrilla group. This means the people are caught between crossfire between the left wing guerrillas and the paramilitary which have been fighting each other for 40 years and not to solve the problems of injustice, oppression and poverty of the people but instead for control of the territory. Violence has led to more violence and although these groups never took political power they have become a power. They have considerable economic power which comes from drug trafficking: their only aim is to control more and more land on which to cultivate coca, they have lost all interest in the good of the people. Poverty and injustice continue to exist, indeed they are worse than ever: fighting between these two groups has killed at least 35,000 people. Moreover it should be said that the groups have never obtained the support of the people which means that this is not a civil war.
What connection is there between drug trafficking and the armed groups?
Drug trafficking is impregnated with terror, blood and death. Unfortunately all the different armed groups use it to finance their activities. This trafficking brings in millions and millions of dollars with which they buy arms and pay their people. The peasants who are massacred by guerrilla groups are those who refuse to work in coca plantations. These acts of violence aim at creating an atmosphere of terror among the people. When there is only one armed group in a given territory, although the people are forced to obey or be shot, the situation is relatively calm. But when another armed group enters the same territory then the people are terrorised by both and it is like hell.
The present government has begun a process of salvaging territories where the armed groups grow their coca, but the process is very slow, the government finds it very difficult to enforce the law. Nevertheless the situation of security has improved: on some roads previously not practicable because of bandits are now guarded by “security cordons” of police or army troops.
How do the armed groups view the Church?
On the whole their attitude to the Church is positive. In spite of everything, they respect the work of bishops, priests, religious and laity and appreciate the fact that the Church is always present close to the people especially under the most difficult circumstances and despite the risks and dangers involved. The guerrillas respect our mission and they know that as shepherds of the community we have the support of the people.
The Church has paid a tribute of blood with the assassinations of bishops, priests, religious and laity: has this affected its commitment for peace?
The killing of several priests and the Bishop of Cali filled everyone with deep grief, indignation and total rejection of such cruelty. However the testimony of these brothers who offered their lives for Christ and for their brothers and sisters strengthened all of us spiritually. We can say that their death only confirmed our determination to continue to build that peace for which blood has been shed. Moreover general condemnation of those crimes made the armed groups realise that they can never dissuade us in our commitment to oppose violence, indeed we are even more determined and united with the people who are with us: they know we are with them and for them. I would mention another aspect: in those places where priests and the bishop were killed vocations are flourishing. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 8/7/2004 - Righe 63, Parole 855)
