Dear John,
Colombia is once again at a crossroads. Over the past weekend, the port city of Buenaventura saw a sharp rise in violence, with illegal armed groups terrorizing communities. Among the victims was a young, rising Afro-Colombian football star—another tragic reminder of the deep-rooted insecurity that continues to grip the region.
At WOLA, we are closely monitoring this crisis. I recently wrote about this alarming wave of violence, examining its root causes and what must be done to build lasting peace in Colombia. You can read my full analysis here. We also published a series of infographics to break down the information, you can access those here.
Meanwhile, President Petro has announced a referendum set to take place later this year. In The Dialogue’s Latin America Advisor, I shared my thoughts on what this means for the country’s future. Read the full Q&A here.
As Colombia grapples with these challenges, WOLA remains committed to advocating for total peace—one that addresses the root causes of violence and puts human rights at the center. We will continue to amplify the voices of those on the ground and push for policies that bring real, lasting change.
Thank you for standing with us in this fight.
