They killed a man
Story
The goal of the documentary film ‘They killed a man’ is to lift the veil on the barbaric acts of the paramilitaries in Columbia by revealing the state complicities from which they benefit, and by establishing a clear chain of command. The film unmasks the mechanism which allows these crimes to happen, a mechanism which includes certain sectors of the society which arm and finance the death squads, and others which legitimize or tolerate their actions. We will expose the known interest groups who support these deadly acts, and others who continue to deny any involvement.
Current conflict status
- Conflict summary
- Negotiations
- Third Party involvement
- Conflict activitySocial Interest
Colombia has been ravaged by decades of civil war and has become synonymous with drug-trafficking. Since coming to power in 2002, President Alvaro Uribe has stepped up the war on left-wing rebels. Right-wing paramilitaries are engaged in a peace process. But Colombia remains mired in violence, beset by poverty and at the centre of the world cocaine trade. After watching ‘They killed a man’, Please read BBC’s Q&A on Columbia’s civil conflict which examines the background and considers its future course.Political Interest
Colombia, in common with many Latin American nations, evolved as a highly segregated society, split between the traditionally rich families of Spanish descent and the vast majority of poor Colombians, many of whom are of mixed race. This latter group provided a natural constituency for left-wing insurgents – who nowadays fall into two groups, the bigger FARC, and the ELN. At the other end of the political spectrum are right-wing paramilitaries, with roots in vigilante groups set up decades ago by landowners for protection against rebels – the main group is the AUC.Historic Interest
Colombia’s civil conflict spans more than four decades and has drawn in left-wing rebels and right-wing paramilitaries. Please read BBC’s profiles of the three main armed groups. It began in 1965 as a backlash produced by a previous conflict known as La violencia, which had been triggered by the assassination of populist political leader Jorge Eli?cer Gait?n. The subsequent targeting of civilians and public infrastructure by the different armed factions contributed both to the creation of the guerrillas and that of paramilitary groups organized to fight against them. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the spread of both the illegal drug trade, the drug cartels and the U.S.-backed War on Drugs increased the intensity of the conflict and involved all of its participants.Wikipedia about Columbian conflict - Wikipedia about FARC
- Wikipedia about AUC
- Paramilitarism in columbiaAwards
‘They killed a man’ has been shown in theaters throughout France, Spain and South America, yet not in Columbia.
Scenes
- Union Activists Murdered
- Paramilitary groups in Colombia are alledgely paid to protect companies from terrorist attacks. These United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) are accused of having murdered innocent civilians and union leaders while being paid millions by foreign companies such as the mining company Drummond Inc.
- Who Are the Paramilitaries?
- To understand the paramilitary forces in Colombia a look back at the Colombian War (1964-present) is necessary. In 1964 the revolutionaries, known as FARC, began fighting for land distribution and agrarian reform in their country. The government, which was a democratic facade, quickly surpressed all political opposition. Gradually the FARC changed over time. In order to maintain their operations they began earning their money by kidnapping civillians and trafficking drugs. The terror increased. In the mid-1980s right wing paramilitary groups appeared, protecting those who were willing to pay for their protection. Up until now, the AUC are responsible for two thirds of crimes against the population. Most victims are peasants who are accused of colaborating with FARC. Carlos Castaño was the founder of AUC. The Defence Units caused over 3000 casualties in the last 10 years and over two million people are driven from their lands.
- Wilson Borja
- In December 2000 a paramilitary commando attempted to kill civil service union president Wilson Borja. Borja is convinced that the paramilitaries are nothing more than a private army for right-wing politicians and corporations. He believes that the government should not negotiate with any guerilla force within Colombia and do what is best for their people.
- Anti-Guerilla Forces
- The government claims to fight against both paramilitaries and terrorist groups. But what is reality? The military training camp that is located in the area of Caño Limòn trains anti-guerilla bataljons. Occidental Petroleum, a U.S. oil company stationed there, is often attacked by guerilla troops. However, this company is by no means helpless or innocent.
- Octavio Sarmiento Assasinated
- In 2001 the municipality where Caño Limòn is located, Arauce, was attacked by paramilitary groups. They carried out several massacres and kill Octavio Sarmiento. Calos Castaño claims responsibility for the attack. Sarmiento’s wife blaims the military for not having intervened or act against the paramilitary forces that threaten ordinairy people.
- Human Rights Trail
- The army has started a campeign five years ago to humanize the war. They are profesionalizing their men in their treatment of other people and the communities around them. The Human Rights Trail is named after this effort. Paramilitaries, the so called ‘cousins’ of the army, do the dirty work. In 2003, in order to protect the pipeline, President G.W Bush sent 80 Green Berets to Arauca in order to train the 18th brigade of the Colombian army.
- The Colombia Plan
- The U.S. made the war on guerillas in Colombia a priority in order to protect their economic interests. The presence of the rebels interfered with business. They introduced the Colombia Plan, initially constructed to be a type of ‘Marshall Plan’ for Colombia. Human rights activists explain that the military tactic that was used in this mission is called “take away the water from the fish,” which implied a “dirty war.” Peasants, indegenous communities and other civilians became victims of this Plan Colombia.
- Legal Battles
- The Lawyers Guild in Colombia are fighting a legal battle to try and keep the paramilitaries accountable for the damages they have caused. They try to prove the cooperation of the government and the army in several murder and drug cases concerning paramilitaries such as Mapiripán.
- Protest and Murder
- Those who protest and try to make a difference have to fear for their lives. The “total war” that is going on in Colombia is a combination of legal and illegal forces working together to eliminate any and all forms of opposition. The union is still seen as a form of opposition. It thus becomes a ” total/dirty war” against common people.
- Ecopetrol and USO
- USO is the largest union in Colombia and they have 5.500 members. Over 3000 of their member work for Ecopetrol a large petroleum company. The USO is very militant. The government wants to break up this union.
- Barrancabermeja’s Exiles
- Village people from small towns on the banks of the Magdalena River have been violently driven from their fertile lands. They now live in exile in Barrancabermeja. Outside the city paramilitary troops are practicing for political assassinations. The police is happy with the situation. The people, however, are scared to talk about what happens in this city. Terror and fear rule Barrancabermeja.
- War Without an End
- In Colombia the battle between different factions continues. Who are the real terrorsts? Who is wrong and who is right? These questions remain unanswered and the battle continues…
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