| COMING THIS FRIDAY: Charla de Colombia goes to Cuba with Banbose Shango – Back from Guantánamo |
| Important advance for Colombian Peace Workers – Thank YOU for helping make this happen! Thank you and congratulations to all who have acted on behalf of Sindicato Memoria Viva (the Living Memory Union) and other Colombian human rights defenders and social movement leaders under the care and/or employ of the National Protection Unit (UNP, Unidad Nacional de Protección). The Alliance for Global Justice has organized support for Peace Workers urging more adequate measures to protect those laboring under threat in Colombia. Memoria Viva, a union of bodyguards composed of signers of the 2016 peace accords, has raised the issue of non-functional vehicles, needed personal protection, and other tools necessary for them to defend those they guard. They have also had to denounce false allegations against them that interfere with their duties and put them in danger. The recent appointment of Natalia Parada to lead the Subdirection Specialized with Security and Protection for the UNP is being hailed by our partners as an important advance. While this does not resolve all their concerns, it is a strong signal from President Gustavo Petro that his administration is listening and responding. Nevertheless, there is opposition that places the new appointment at risk. This opposition takes place within a context of attempts to undermine Colombia’s process toward a Total Peace Plan, and of the ongoing and unacceptable assassinations of social leaders. You can count on the Alliance for Global Justice to provide up to date information as the situation unfolds. Want to learn more about Colombian Unions and the struggle for peace? Watch Episode One of the new season of Charla de Colombia: Unions Advocate for Peace and Labor Rights Click here to watch in the original Spanish This episode features William Javier Díaz Ramírez, executive committee of ADE affiliate of FECODE teachers union and coordinator of TJER; Alexander Chalarca, National Vice-President of SINTRAUNAL university workers union; and Davíd Ricardo Vargas, member of the executive committee for the central region of the SINDHEP union of human rights monitors Be sure and tune into our next episode, Charla de Colombia goes to Cuba! Banbose Shango, member of the AFGJ board, the National Network on Cuba, and the All African People’s Revolutionary Party-GC will report on his recent visit to Cuba where he participated in a labor meeting and the nation’s May Day celebration, and attended a conference in Guantánamo against foreign US military bases. Banbose has been a frequent visitor to Cuba and led a delegation to Colombia for the inauguration of Pres. Petro in 2022. We are broadcasting this special presentation because of the importance of Cuba for Colombia, and Colombia for Cuba. Cuba hosted negotiations between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army) and is a guarantor of the 2016 peace accords. Cuba has played a similar role in talks between the Colombian government and the ELN (National Army of Liberation). In turn, Pres. Petro has been outspoken in calling for normalization and an end to the blockades of both Cuba and Venezuela. Solidarity with Cuba is solidarity with Colombia, and solidarity with Colombia is solidarity with Cuba! Two ways to watch: The event will be livestreamed on AFGJ’s Facebook and YouTube pages Thursday, May 9 at 6pm Pacific Time, 9pm Eastern. Watch the video at your convenience at our AFGJ YouTube channel (be sure and subscribe). A recording of the episode will become available this Friday at our usual 6pm ET Charla de Colombia time slot. |
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