Carlos Emilios brother was killed by guerrillas. Colombian coca farmers who gathered in the city Tarazá to protest against the government destroying their plantations are accused by the government for cooperation with the guerrillas. But in fact the farmer are the victims. Photo: Casper Hedberg / Kontinent
By Casper Hedberg – In Colombia there are around four million internally displaced persons. Whether they are fleeing the paramilitaries or the guerrillas, they often ends up in the slums outsides Colombia’s largest cities. Last year more than 300 000 Colombians left their homes.
Juan Carlos, who lives in Las Delicsias on the border to Venezuela, is one of them. Whether they are fleeing the paramilitaries or the guerrillas, they often ends up in the slums outsides Colombias largest cities. Last year more than 300 000 Colombians left their homes. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentCarlos Emilios brother was killed by guerrillas. Colombian coca farmers who gathered in the city Tarazá to protest against the government destroying their plantations are accused by the government for cooperation with the guerrillas. But in fact the farmer are the victims. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentPhotos of wanted members of the FARC-guerrilla hanging in the Colombian border station in Cucuta. The one who can provide crucial information will be richly rewarded. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentAround 200 000 people are forced each year on the run in Colombia but last year the figure was higher when over 300 000 people left their homes. Only Sudan has more internally displaced people than Colombia. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentFarmers who gathered in the city Tarazá to protest against the government destroying their plantations are accused by the government for cooperation with the guerrillas. But in fact the farmer are the victims. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentMedellin is Colombia's second largest city and was earlier called, when Pablo Escobar had control over the drug traffic, the world's most dangerous. In 1991 6349 murder was committed in the city, which is eleven times as much in terms of population compared to Chicago. Today, when Pablo Escobar is dead since long, the murder rate is lower than in Washington DC. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentThe municipali is providing food in the temporary camps in Tarazá, but the food is about to run out and just rice is served as a meal. Peasants energy running out and more and more and children become sick. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentCoca is war fuels in Colombia – the coca farmers often find themselves caught between the warring parties. The guerrillas and paramilitaries fighting for domination of drug trafficking. The Government destroy the coca fields, without giving the farmers help to find alternative crops. In Taraz coca farmers had enough and gathered in the city to protest. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentMany from the rural areas get caught in the Colombian conflict. It has not improved under President Álvaro Uribe government. Trade unions, left politicians and peasant movements are examples of groups that under the new doctrine is categorized among the enemies, terrorists, guerrilla. Many flees to the townships outside of Medellin. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentMany from the rural areas get caught in the Colombian conflict. It has not improved under President Álvaro Uribe government. Trade unions, left politicians and peasant movements are examples of groups that under the new doctrine is categorized among the enemies, terrorists, guerrilla. Many flees to the townships outside of Medellin. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentAlejandro Vargas has fled with his family and now lives in a small shack in Las Delicsias just a few kilometers from the Venezuelan border. Many also cross the border to seek protection in Venezuela, but in recent years, both the FARC guerrilla and paramilitaries operates in Venezuela. Photo: Casper Hedberg / Kontinentn Tarazá, Colombia, 5000 coca farmers gathered to protest against the government destroying their coca fields. Most of the farmers have nowhere to live and has spent nine days around the city's sports hall. Coca farmers whose got their coca fields destroyed are not recognized as IDPs by the government, and therefore have no more rights. Colombian coca farmers who gathered in the city Tarazá to protest against the government are accused by the government for cooperation with the guerrillas. But in fact the farmer are the victims. Carlos Emilios brother was killed by guerrillas. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentIn Tarazá, Colombia, 5000 coca farmers gathered to protest against the government destroying their coca fields. Most of the farmers have nowhere to live and has spent nine days around the city's sports hall. Coca farmers whose got their coca fields destroyed are not recognized as IDPs by the government, and therefore have no more rights. Colombian coca farmers who gathered in the city Tarazá to protest against the government are accused by the government for cooperation with the guerrillas. But in fact the farmer are the victims. Carlos Emilios brother was killed by guerrillas. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentWhen the coca leaf reaches the same hue, they are ready to be harvested. Total coca gives four harvests per year, is easily transportable and provides large profit. Other crops that provide good earnings will take several years before they go to harvest and is more difficult to transport. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentThe municipality is providing food in the temporary camps in Tarazá, but the food is about to run out and just rice is served as a meal. Peasants energy running out and more and more and children become sick. Farmers who gathered in the city Tarazá to protest against the government destroying their plantations are accused by the government for cooperation with the guerrillas. But in fact the farmer are the victims. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentSharp thunderclaps rings and rain pours down. On the streets fragmentary stones are located throughout that bear witness to the recent violent demonstrations. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentAround 200 000 people are forced each year on the run in Colombia but last year the figure was higher when over 300 000 people left their homes. Only Sudan has more internally displaced people than Colombia. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentColds raging among peasant families who are homeless during the demonstrations in Tarazá. The municipality will take care of them as best they can, while the government remains silent in nine days. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentAround 200 000 people are forced each year on the run in Colombia but last year the figure was higher when over 300 000 people left their homes. Only Sudan has more internally displaced people than Colombia. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentThe sports hall in Tarazá is full of flies, the nights are cold, and there are only food once a day. Luis Mario, 4, and Julio Miguel, 5, has flu, just like many other of those who lived here during the demonstrations. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentThe plantations Jose Alvarez and Amalia Petro Fuente worked at was sprayed for half a year ago. The coca was destroyed, but also banana and yucca where destroyed. Now they are in Tarazá to protest for not getting help to cultivate another profitable crop than coca. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentAround 200 000 people are forced each year on the run in Colombia but last year the figure was higher when over 300 000 people left their homes. Only Sudan has more internally displaced people than Colombia. Photo: Casper Hedberg / KontinentNatalia Andrea, 9, and Sandra, 4, are playing outside their house in the shanty town Alto de Cazúca. Their family has as many internal refugees fled to the outskirts of Bogota. Photo: Casper Hedberg / Kontinent
