Indigenous Leader Killed, One Wounded, and Another Kidnapped in Confrontation with Rebels in Northern Cauca

Members of the guard of San Lorenzo Reservation have reported that an indigenous leader was killed, another was wounded, and a third was kidnapped in a confrontation with rebel fighters while trying to protect the population in the Caldono municipality in northern Cauca department.

The incident occurred during a clash between former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), rebels who refused to demobilize under a 2016 peace deal, and National Liberation Army (ELN) militants.

Wilson Bomba Piamba, an indigenous leader who served as a Caldono councilor and reserve commissioner, was identified as the victim who arrived at the care center without vital signs. Another indigenous guard, Julio Cesar Pena, sustained an injury to one of his legs, and Jader Chilo, a guard belonging to the Pioya reservation, was reportedly kidnapped.

According to the National Center for Historical Memory (CNMH), the armed conflict in Colombia claimed the lives of 5,011 indigenous people between 1958 and 2019.

The incident highlights the continued challenges faced by indigenous communities in conflict-affected areas of Colombia. The authorities will need to work closely with local leaders and community members to address the ongoing violence and ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable populations.”