Building Peace Through Diversity -The Resilience of Social Leaders in the Colombian Pacific

Written by: Carolina Arteta, María Gabriela Barraza, Elaine González & María Fernanda Meneses

Stretching along Colombia’s western coast, the Pacific region is one of the most culturally rich and environmentally diverse areas in the country. Yet, behind its green landscapes and vibrant communities lies a long history of abandonment, inequality, and violence. This region, home largely to Afro-Colombian and Indigenous populations, continues to suffer from weak state presence and deeply rooted power disparities, conditions that have turned it into one of the most dangerous places for those who dare to lead and defend their communities.

In recent years, the assassination of social leaders in the Colombian Pacific has become a tragic and urgent reality. These killings are far from isolated acts of violence; they are part of a broader and more complex pattern in which the legacy of armed conflict, the continued influence of authoritarian local powers, and the lack of effective state protection all converge. This text seeks to raise awareness of these threats by highlighting not only their political and structural roots, but also the human stories behind the statistics.

Following the 2016 peace agreement, hope briefly flourished in many corners of Colombia. But in the Pacific region, peace remained elusive. Social leaders deeply rooted in their communities, defending land, rights, and dignity, have faced increased threats. Their work disrupts the interests of local elites and illegal armed actors who benefit from disorder and silence. In this context, defending peace becomes a dangerous act of resistance.

Many of these leaders are linked to progressive political movements and community organizing efforts, which makes them particularly vulnerable. Their visibility and commitment to change often paint a target on their backs. The violence they face is not random; it is political, deliberate, and sustained by the fear of losing control among those who hold power through informal and often violent means.

State absence further deepens the crisis. In the Pacific, government institutions are often distant or dysfunctional, leaving entire communities exposed to the control of illegal groups. This vacuum allows local power networks to expand their influence without restraint, while those who oppose them, like social leaders, pay the highest price. Understanding this dynamic is key not just to documenting injustice, but to imagining a path forward where peace is truly inclusive and sustainable.

The story of Elizabeth Moreno Barco gives a face to this struggle. As a leader from Togoromá, San Juan, Chocó, she has spent over two decades defending the rights of Afro-Colombian and Indigenous peoples. In 2013, when violence forced her to leave her home, she did not stop. Instead, she channeled her pain into action by participating in peace dialogues and mediating between armed actors. Consequently, her courage has earned her international recognition, including the Nansen Refugee Award and the title of National Human Rights Defender of the Year in 2023.

Elizabeth’s story, like that of so many others, is one of resilience, dignity, and unwavering commitment. Indeed, these leaders are not just defenders; they are guardians of their territories, voices of their people, and pillars of peace. Therefore, raising awareness about the dangers they face is not an academic exercise; it is a moral and political imperative. Ultimately, their protection is not only a matter of human rights, but also a condition for the future of peace in Colombia.

References

Semana. (2025, marzo 24). Líderes sociales del Pacífico. https://www.semana.com/noticias/lideres-sociales-del-pacifico/

Colombia Informa. (2018, julio 3). [Especial] En el Pacífico persiste el conflicto armado. https://www.colombiainforma.info/especial-en-el-pacifico-persiste-el-conflicto-armado/

ACNUR. (2023, octubre 5). Defensora de derechos humanos colombiana desafía el peligro para salvar vidas y apoyar a su comunidad. https://www.acnur.org/noticias/historias/defensora-de-derechos-humanos-colombiana-desafia-el-peligro-para-salvar-vidas-y

Kimy Pernía Domicó: A Voice of Resistance for Indigenous Rights and the Defense of Territory in Córdoba, Colombia.

Written by: Nicoll Orozco, David Lubo & Daniel Delgado

Known for his willingness to raise awareness and protect the indigenous rights and nature importance, Kimy Pernía Domicó, was an indigenous leader of the Embera Katío community in Córdoba, Colombia. This significant leader was characterized by his tenet based on the bravery and courage, as he openly opposed to the construction of the Urrá hydroelectric dam in his department and led a movement to raise defense and resistance against the project. That project meant exploitation and transformation of the territory, but also a change of the sociocultural structure that they lived on, their cosmovision, as well as the environmental impact and the lack of prior consultation to the community (Censat Agua Viva, 2023). Also, on June 2 of 2001, Kim Pernía Domicó was abducted and murdered by paramilitaries, as in 2007, Salvatore Mancuso acknowledged his responsibility on his murder. He claimed that it was Carlos Castaño’s order, argumenting it was for opposing the Urrá project (Comisión de la Verdad Colombia, 2020).

How did this happen?

On June 2nd of 2001, Kimy was leaving the headquarters of the Cabildo Mayor Embera Katí in Tierralta, and was detained by members of the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) and forced to ride a motorcycle. After that incident, nothing was heard from him. His gesture of resistance in the very frontline of the Urrá hydroelectric dam project that had displaced his Indigenous community and annihilated sacred ecosystems, resulted in his death. The clash between Indigenous survival and the control that the paramilitary group AUC tried to impose over the territory of the Embera, represents the overlap of two different worldviews that culminated with hundreds of disappeared, displaced and assassinated people.

What measures were taken?

Due to his disappearance, national and international human rights organizations took the state before the court of justice, even though the state initially refused to acknowledge its participation, investigations later clarified that the state merged paths with paramilitary forces. The battle for Kimy’s legacy brought public pressure, global outrage, and the acknowledgment that his murder was not an isolated case, but one of a cruel and large list of violent attacks on Indigenous defenders whose tenet is to take care of the nature and its sacred places. Many years later, during Colombia’s process of transitional justice, ex-paramilitary leader Salvatore Mancuso admitted having ordered Kimy’s murder on the orders of paramilitary commander Carlos Castaño. Mancuso confessed that the assassination had been plotted in compliance with parts of the national Colombian army. This confession provided Kimy’s case new legal framework and helped to enshrine his story in the minds of Colombians as a brutal crime in which the state participated.

The Path to Reconciliation for the Embera Community As Salvatore Mancuso acknowledged his responsibility for the murder of Kimy Pernía Domicó and asked for forgiveness, he also declared it a state crime, explained the state never consulted them about the construction of the Urrá I project. He described how they systematically took actions to weaken the community, such as preventing them from bringing food to their community, throwing their canoes into the river, and accusing them of supporting the guerrilla groups by bringing them food (Comisión de la Verdad Colombia, 2020). which was a significant aspect for them and allowed for some closure after years of uncertainty. By admitting his role and mistakes, the reconciliation process emerged, and the symbolism of “non-repetition” became a genuine intention, with the goal to materialize it. This conversation was Martha Cecilia Domicó’s was the outcome of years of patience and hope to know the truth, that extends to her community as a step to stop suffering and end the violence. (Comisión de la Verdad Colombia, 2020)

What does this case teach us about indigenous rights and internal conflict in Colombia?

Kimy’s life reminds us that Indigenous peoples should not only be granted rights on paper, but that those rights must be upheld in practice. His resistance assures us that Indigenou communities must have full legal standing when they are fighting to protect their land and culture. His story points to the deep surge of global Indigenous movements calling for justice, sovereignty, and recognition. “His life and legacy invite us to reflect deeply on the transformative power of collective action and remind us that change is possible when we unite in solidarity and persevere in defending our ideals” (Censat, 2023). His legacy instills the credo that to save nature is to save mankind. His death was tragic, yet his voice endures, echoing through mountains and rivers and against the plight of those still following along the path he had a hand in opening. Kimy’s case shows how the armed conflict has served as an excuse to silence uncomfortable voices, perpetuate impunity, and weaken the defense of collective rights in rural and indigenous areas of the country. This reflects the institutional weakness of the Colombian state in guaranteeing the protection of these leaders and the lack of political will to investigate and punish those responsible.

Conclusion

Kimy Pernía Domicó’s case exposes the connection between persistent Indigenous rights violations and Colombia’s internal armed conflict. Economic interests and violence have traditionally combined to silence people that defend the land, as demonstrated by his assassination, which was ordered by paramilitary forces and finally recognized as a state crime. Kimy fought against the construction of the dam, but he also fought against an entire system of exploitation, displacement, and exclusion. His legacy demands a change based on justice, truth, and genuine restoration and exposing the Colombian state’s problems in safeguarding Indigenous communities. In the end, his life and words serve as a constant reminder that any vision of peace must include protecting the environment and Indigenous rights.

References
Censat Agua Viva. (2023, 2 de junio). Kimy Pernía: un legado de lucha, dignidad y
solidaridad. https://censat.org/kimy-pernia/

Comisión de la Verdad Colombia. (2020). Salvatore Mancuso reconoce haber asesinado al
líder indígena Kimy Pernía Domicó. Comisión De La Verdad Colombia.
https://web.comisiondelaverdad.co/actualidad/noticias/salvatore-mancuso-reconocehaber-asesinado-al-lider-indigena-kimy-pernia-domic

Beyond visibility: Indigenous women leaders and the fight for justice in Colombia.

Written by: Camacho Melissa, Danies María, Sosa Daniela .

Historically, women have been marginalized simply for being women; but imagine the layered discrimination faced by a woman who is indigenous, and also a social leader. This is where the concept of intersectionality becomes essential. Intersectionality was coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989) and the term refers to how different types of discrimination merge and affect people, and how identity factors such as race, gender, sexuality, and class intersect to shape advantage or disadvantage in society. For us, it is important to highlight the case of Fany Kuiru Castro because she does not fit with the stereotype of most activists that fight for the rights of indigenous communities. She is a leader of the Uitoto (Murui-Muina) people from the

Colombian Amazon. She studied law and later obtained a master ‘s degree in International Political Studies. From a young age, she has been committed to defending Indigenous rights and protecting the environment. Her work with the “Organización Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas de la Amazonía Colombiana” (National Organization of the Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon or OPIAC for its initials in Spanish) focused particularly on supporting women and families, promoting gender equity within Indigenous communities. The fulfillment of her objectives as an activist makes her a rarity in a context full of violence and persecution for those who seek to protect a social cause such as hers.

In 2023, Kuiru made history by becoming the first woman elected as General Coordinator of COICA (Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon River Basin), an organization that represents more than 500 Indigenous nations across nine countries. Her leadership has helped unify Amazonian communities and promote the active participation of Indigenous women in decision-making spaces. Through her efforts, she has defended ancestral territories, biodiversity, and cultural heritage, inspiring new generations and emphasizing the vital role of Indigenous voices in global environmental discussions.

However, the beginnings of her career were not always the most ideal. The inspiration behind this leader’s path in social activism was shaped by the context in which she grew up, as she would hear daily about how the rubber genocide that occurred in Putumayo at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century had affected her community. This motivated her to study

law in order to defend her people. This event is known as one of the most atrocious acts suffered by the Uitoto community, as they were subjected to conditions of slavery, forced labor, torture, sexual violence, and mass killings for the benefit of rubber extraction companies such as the Peruvian Amazon Company. But the threats faced by the Uitoto and other indigenous communities of the Amazon, are not consigned to the past. Kuiru has spoken about the responsibilities that the international community, the Colombian people, and the national government should assume in the task of preserving the largest rainforest on Earth. Despite the recognition of Indigenous rights in the 1991 Constitution, the Amazon region continues to be marginalized in peace and reparation processes. Furthermore, the presence of illegal armed groups, such as FARC dissidents, worsens the situation of violence and forced displacement in the area.

In view of this situation, Kiuru has made multiple complaints to the international community and the national government about how the indigenous communities and Mother Earth have been left aside. She says: “Human rights have been systematically violated, and crimes against humanity have been normalized—such as forced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, massacres, displacement, coercive or forced recruitment into armed groups, and sexual violence committed by illegal armed actors.” In 2023 alone, ONIC’s annual report showed that more than 58,000 Indigenous men and women from different ethnic groups suffered serious human rights violations, such as harassment, being forced to stay in their territories, being displaced, and not receiving humanitarian aid. More than 90% of the cases remain in impunity, showing that the justice system is not working properly.

Also, thanks to Kuiru’s international visibility, she has perhaps been afforded a layer of protection that many other social leaders—particularly women in rural areas—do not have. One stark contrast can be seen in the case of Juana Perea Plata, a Colombian environmental activist and tourism entrepreneur who was murdered in Nuquí, Chocó, in 2020. Perea had openly opposed the construction of a port project that threatened delicate coastal ecosystems. Her assassination, attributed to an illegal armed group, exposed the vulnerability of defenders without institutional backing. Although a suspect was arrested, the judicial process has been slow and justice remains elusive.

Unlike Kuiru, Perea was not affiliated with a major organization, which left her more exposed. The difference between their situations highlights a broader pattern: many environmental and social leaders in Colombia are killed while working in isolation, without visibility or adequate protection. Kuiru’s case underscores the importance of strong networks and international attention but also raises a deeper concern—that safety should not depend on recognition, but on guaranteed rights and state protection.

The situation of social leaders in Colombia is, in general, highly worrying. The particular case of Fany Kuiru is not the norm, possibly because international recognition and affiliation with major organizations such as COICA can provide social leaders with a greater degree of protection (though this does not always guarantee the safety of activists it must be said). As we have seen, on the other hand, there are cases like that of Juana Perea Plata (who represents the majority) that face persecution that often ends in their assassination. Unfortunately, due to the lack of international visibility and institutional support, social leaders and environmental activists suffer discrimination for their race, gender, and sexuality, and they are often threatened, intimidated, and murdered. The power vacuum in terms of state absence, the lack of protection offered, and the preference given to a western worldview over other ways of interpreting the world and nature often means that leaders are seen as an easy target for those who impose their selfish interests on others.

References

Coica, C. (2024, 2 octubre). CONOCE a NUESTRA LIDER y COORDINADORA

GENERAL FANY KUIRU CASTRO. COICA. https://coicamazonia.org/fany/

Samie, & August. (2025, 18 marzo). Intersectionality | Definition, Kimberle Crenshaw, History, Applications, Criticism, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/intersectionality

Semana, R. (2023, 31 mayo). La lideresa indígena colombiana que escribió en prestigioso medio internacional para alertar sobre situación del Amazonía. Semana.com Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo.

https://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/la-lideresa-indigena-colombiana-que-escribio-en-presti gio-medio-internacional-para-alertar-sobre-situacion-del-amazonia/202310/

Tarazona, D. (2024, 5 febrero). Colombia: nuevo informe revela que más de 58 mil pobladores indígenas fueron víctimas de violencia en el 2023. Noticias Ambientales.

https://es.mongabay.com/2024/02/colombia-nuevo-informe-revela-que-mas-de-58-mil-pobladore s-indigenas-fueron-victimas-de-violencia-en-el-2023/