Indigenous protesters camp in Colombia demand meeting with President Petro
Camps in main plaza raises safety concerns for children, pregnant women, elderly
BOGOTA, Colombia
More than 1,800 indigenous people from various regions of Colombia arrived Wednesday in Bogota and are camped in the city's main Plaza de Bolivar.
Their purpose is to meet President Gustavo Petro to discuss issues concerning peace in their territories and his alleged failure to fulfill campaign promises.
“We came so they could understand our situation and how public entities are treating us, something the president is likely unaware of,” Gov. Luis Enrique Yalán, from the Misak Indigenous reservation told reporters. “We need to understand the discrepancies within the ministries because agreements made on the ground differ from the actions taken.”
The indigenous people began arriving late Monday in “chivas,” their traditional buses, parking on streets near the Presidential Palace, the high courts, city hall and Congress. The influx has resulted in the blockage of roads in the capital, causing significant traffic in the city center.
They have set up tents with plastic bags and installed large pots in which they cook with gas cylinders, which, authorities said is very dangerous.
"There are gas cylinders and other flammable materials present that could lead to a serious incident, particularly endangering children, pregnant women and the elderly present, as well as passersby," said Bogota Secretary of Government Gustavo Quintero.
An additional 2,000 people are expected to arrive next week.
The regions of Putumayo, Narino, and Cauca, from which the indigenous people originate, have a strong presence of various illegal armed groups, including guerrillas and drug traffickers, who are vying for control of those areas for drug trafficking operations, their primary source of revenue.
