COLOMBIA: A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY—AGAIN

[Judi Lynn]

COLOMBIA: A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY—AGAIN
Indigenous Leader Assassinated on Massacre Anniversary

by Mario A. Murillo, MAMA Radio



December 16 is supposed to be a special day for most Colombians.

It's the day that marks the start of what is called "La Novena," the traditional nine-day countdown to Christmas.

For families around the country, rich and poor, urban and rural, "Las Novenas" are supposed to be a time of celebration, ritual gatherings with friends and loved ones. They are filled with community sing-alongs, of old-school holiday songs that take just about everybody back to their childhood.

But this Dec. 16 will not be one of joy for Aida Quilcué and her family. Indeed, Dec. 16 is once again being marked as a day of violence and terror for the indigenous communities of Cauca, and for the entire country.

More:
http://www.ww4report.com/node/6607

This morning, at about 4:00 AM, on the road between Inzá, Tierradentro, and Totoró, on indigenous territory, the official car of the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRIC), was shot at 19 times by a column of the Third Division of the Army, fatally wounding the driver, Edwin Legarda Vázquez, Quilcué's husband. Quilcué is the chief counsel of CRIC, and one of the most visible leaders of the recent Indigenous and Popular Minga that began on Oct. 11, culminating in a massive march and rally in downtown Bogotá on Nov. 21.

Three bullets penetrated Legarda, who did not survive the emergency surgery he was given after being rushed to San José Hospital in Popayán, the departmental capital.

But most people close to CRIC believe the bullets were really meant for his wife, who apparently was just returning from Geneva where she had been participating in the United Nations Human Rights Commission sessions on Colombia. She was not in the car when the attack occurred.