OPEN LETTER FROM THE HIGH COUNCIL FOR PEACE OF THE DISTRICT OF SANTA MARTA TO THE CONQUERING SELF-DEFENSES OF THE SIERRA NEVADA
The lesson learned is that the State should never renounce either the legitimate use of force throughout the territory, or the satisfaction of the well-being of the communities.
I am writing this letter to the leaders of the Self-Defense Conquistadors of the Sierra Nevada to convey a message from the entire Samarian society and the district government: embrace total peace.
Since the end of 2022, you have expressed your willingness to welcome, even in this period you were designated by presidential resolution as peace managers, and you have made unilateral cessations, withdrawals, and statements. Also, in this period there have been notable humanitarian impacts that have caused immense pain to the city, and have weakened the confidence of the government and society in the process.
In April, the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace responded to a letter from our Ministry warning that the dialogues with its organization were frozen; However, on May 8, President Gustavo Petro announced in Santa Marta that his government was willing to implement, in the case of the Sierra Nevada, an innovative urban peace process.
On June 12 and 13, more than 7,000 people mobilized peacefully to make themselves heard from the national government. They asked for peace and well-being for their communities. On June 22, 1,200 people came from all the paths of the Sierra Nevada to meet in a social dialogue for peace with the national government. The request was unanimous: peace to live well.
All of these events are crossed by an open campaign of interference and sabotage of the peace process originating from regional political forces that are willing to “shatter peace” if in doing so they manage to hide the truth.
On the other hand, we have insisted on opening the door for some constructive approach to the devastation of violence. Consequently, and in response to the latest indications from the national government to the communities of the Sierra Nevada, we ask you to use the channels provided by President Gustavo Petro, and present concrete proposals that reflect your real willingness to embrace the peace process. We Samarians dream of a city of rights and peace, with an economy free of drug trafficking; the definitive rupture of the links between politics and crime; thousands of victims fully restored to their rights, and a Sierra Nevada that becomes a world reference for adaptation to climate change.
The challenge in achieving this vision is not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Just in 2006, 1,200 ex-combatants surrendered their weapons in the Justice and Peace process, and their commanders paid alternative prison sentences. However, the State did not guarantee territorial control, nor did it close the inequality gaps in the rural areas of Santa Marta. Instead of moving towards peace, we recycled violence, many ex-combatants reoffended, and new gangs emerged.
The lesson learned is that the State should never renounce either the legitimate use of force throughout the territory, or the satisfaction of the well-being of the communities.
I trust that society will be able to forgive the damage caused if the victims’ right to truth, justice, comprehensive reparation, and non-repetition are guaranteed.
From my position as a victim of the armed conflict, I have forgiven.
Finally, I reiterate the message of Samaria society: suspend all actions that affect the population, and consolidate your will for peace before the national government.
JENNIFER DEL TORO GRANADOS
High Advisor for Peace and Post-Conflict
#Colombia
