For many years, Comuna 13 was under the sway of left-wing guerrilla groups. The state had little influence here, but Operation Orion - launched just before Carol Vanesa disappeared - would change that. The state decided it had to take back control of Comuna 13, says Jenny Pearce, professor of Latin American politics at the University of Bradford. But the way they did it seems to have been in alliance with paramilitary groups. And the paramilitaries subsequently went in and disappeared at least 200-300 people from the area. So the bodies at la escombrera are the victims of what can only be called a state crime...For Jenny Pearce la escombrera is illustrative of how Colombia has experienced violence over many decades. Its emblematic of impunity, of the lack of a rule of law that says to people you cant murder someone, throw them on to a rubbish tip and get away with it. La escombrera shows the layers and layers of violence from all armed groups going back decades. There are people who want to show the citys overcome its worst decades - of course, Medellin wants to move on. But until the past is addressed, and theres security that people can trust, thats difficult.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:12:40 +0000
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