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On April 28, tens of thousands of Colombia marched in a renewed iteration of the National Strike that had begun strongly in November 2019. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Strike stopped but the reasons for the protests increased. Following a five-month-long national quarantine in 2020, COVID cases and deaths increased as poverty deepened. Colombia has registered 76,000 deaths from COVID and 42.5% of the population is now living in conditions of poverty. Most of the increase in poverty has been in the cities and within the most vulnerable sectors, where the most drastic economic impacts can be seen. Because of the unexpected expenses resulting from the pandemic, the national government proposed a tax reform.
The content of the proposed tax reform generated a strong reaction from the population, who saw the reform as a way of demanding resources from the low and middle classes, thereby deepening the country’s socioeconomic inequality. And all of this on top of the concerns that existed before the pandemic, including the assassination of social leaders; the lack of implementation of the Peace Accords; the government’s steps to resume aerial spraying of illicit crops with glyphosate; the cost of higher education and the lack of opportunities for young people, among others.
The April 28 marches of the National Strike were massive in size and have continued for days. The majority have been peaceful, but there has been vandalism in some of the larger cities; in response the government rapidly militarized the streets. Human rights organizations have reported disproportionate violence and assassinations by the police and military, documenting dozens of deaths of protestors and hundreds of people wounded and disappeared, the majority young people.
In this context, the Anabaptist churches of Colombia—from the perspective of their faith and peace tradition—have begun to take public stances on the reasons for the protest, the violence in the protests, and the response of the Colombian state. Here we share a selection of public statements from the different churches and church organizations, as well as personal reflections from young adult Colombian Anabaptists. May their words and testimonies be a light for Colombia in these days.
“Our silence is our defeat.” Photo: Nemy Tatiana Silva García
“We reject the militarization of our cities to repress the demonstrations that are evidence of the people’s discontent with the government and other State agencies in the context of the pandemic. We strongly denounce and condemn the excessive use of police force, as well as the violent actions that have infiltrated the protests….we urge the national government to stop its suppressive tactics and establish spaces for dialogue with different social and political movements that will lead to constructive consensus on the issues that plague the country with the goal of finding just solutions that are in accordance with the interests and needs of the citizens. As a Church, we commit ourselves to support efforts that move in this direction and we offer our gifts and capabilities grounded in our pacifist legacy of more than 500 years.”
“The pain we feel fractures our heart into a thousand pieces; words are not sufficient to express what is happening in Colombia. It pains us that the government responds to even our peaceful actions with violence. But despite this, our heart keeps beating on this earth, we are walking hand-in-hand with justice and reconciliation to be salt and light for Colombia, pushing ourselves—with pain, with love and with hope—to be better stewards of the resources God has given to us.”
Andrea Ricardo Castro Serrano, Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Encuentro Renovación Pan de Vida, Barranquilla (Mennonite Church of Colombia)
A map of Cali. Photo: Colin Vandenberg
“We ask for an end to violence in all of our territories. We demand justice, truth and that all Colombians’ rights be guaranteed. From our conviction of faith, we raise our cry for peace, reconciliation and dialogue. ‘No more violence.’”
Photo: Nemy Tatiana Silva García
“The national strike is not the whim of a generation. These are the needs of a people, needs that have existed for years. No death is acceptable, but it is creating memory, a memory of justice and hope.”
Nemy Tatiana Silva García, Iglesia Bautista (Baptist Church), Cali
“Justapaz, as a religious organization for peace and nonviolent action, continues to insist on the possibilities of social dialogue and agreement between the government and civil society as it regards social, economic, peace, and human rights policies. In particular we accompany the social and peace agendas that are being generated in the labor, educational and human rights movements. We join in prayer and solidarity with the people and families that have been affected by violence. Violence is not the solution and only leaves behind pain, resentment, and death.”
“I encourage us, as communities of faith, to raise our cry for help to God and that we be an example of peace and reconciliation. Let us not abandon empathy and support for that which is just and liberatory.”
Jhon Chocue, Iglesia Peniel, Mennonite Brethren of Colombia – Valle del Cauca and Cauca, Cali
“As church institutions within the Anabaptist tradition who are also engaged in peacebuilding efforts, we are committed to biblical peace and public advocacy. We understand that the theological and ethical criteria of nonviolence and conflict transformation are fundamental factors in moving towards reconciliation coupled with social justice. Christian peace is God’s Shalom, that is, a sign of integral well-being and relationships based on justice and equity, both for human beings and for all of creation.
Guided by this spirit and the principles of the Gospel of Peace and social justice, we urge the Government and civil society to pursue and deepen dialogue and negotiation on policies that will guide us towards equitable development, just peace, and full respect for human rights. We join in prayer, solidarity, and support for the social movement promoting the National Strike. We also recognize the youth movements, women peacebuilders, union members, peace churches, educators, various peace and human rights platforms, and all the diverse grassroots movements that are promoting life, peace, and justice.”
“I feel outrage regarding the violation of the right to protest, hope regarding youth that resist and will not be quiet.”
Alejandra Arboleda, Iglesia Filadelfia, Mennonite Brethren of Colombia – Valle del Cauca and Cauca, Cali
Foto: Anna Vogt
“We encourage and recommend that the government authorities and the corresponding entities arrive at consensus through dialogue, in order to achieve the necessary correctives and monitor the aspects denounced in the protests. Our hearts grieve the tragic events and suffering that we have been living through.”
Iglesias Cristianas Hermanos Menonitas de Colombia (Mennonite Brethren Churches of Colombia)
“To the police forces and the civil authorities in the city of Ibagué, we request your leadership in building spaces of dialogue and consensus-building with those citizen groups who are protesting and expressing their disagreement. A military response cannot be a solution to the problems that afflict our city and our country, much less in a context of impoverishment brought on by a pandemic that has left thousands of families and young people in precarious conditions.
To the Christian churches, we urge unity, to be salt and life in the midst of this situation that our city is experiencing; to serve as peacemakers in each place where they act as followers of Jesus; to offer their churches and spiritual services in the interest of peace, mediation and dialogue.”
“Colombian Mennonite young people are worried about Colombian authorities’ frequent violations of human rights.”
Óscar Suarez, Iglesia Cristiana Menonita de Ibagué, Ibagué
“Now more than ever it is necessary to be salt of the earth, for the followers of Christ to make real his message of hope, love, and peace.”
“As young Anabaptist Mennonites who know and live the teachings of Jesus on his great journey towards building a Kingdom of Peace, Justice and Love, we call on the national government to respect the life, rights, dignity and integrity of all people, and above all to respect the lives of young people who demonstrate against the injustices of our country.”
“I have hope in a different future, with just governance and where dignity does not cost us our lives.”
Damaris Guaza, Iglesia Cristiana Filipos, Mennonite Brethren of Colombia – Valle del Cauca y Cauca, Cali
“We deeply regret the tragic events and the pain caused; we pray for the families who have lost their loved ones, and that the injured may soon return to their homes and daily activities. From our congregations we encourage respectful and compassionate coexistence, based on a deep respect for the other, since we are all God’s creation, made in God’s image and likeness.”
Mennonite Brethren of Colombia – Central Region, Bogotá and Medellín
