The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) opens Colombia’s natural resources to foreign corporations and private investors. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian territories are rich with natural resources and bio-diversity and will be directly affected by the exploitation of these resources.

The Cauca region of Colombia in particular has been disproportionately affected by the internal war the country has endured for the last fifty years. Bio-fuel, dam and mining projects have displaced thousands of families from their ancestral territories as paramilitaries terrorize community leaders and activists in order to force people to give up their land. However, leaders like Francia Marquez of the Community Council of La Toma denounce paramilitary violence and continue to defend their community’s territory from foreign investments.

Mega projects and the mining industry are an attack on the historical rights of Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, their food sovereignty and their territories. Join us on this delegation and see the consequences of neoliberal policies on the people who are most directly affected.

Trip Highlights:

• Meet with Colombian community leaders, farmers, trade unionists and human rights workers affected by neoliberal policies
• Learn about food sovereignty and community readiness for the impact of neoliberal policies on small farmers
• Learn about the impact of U.S. foreign policy in Colombia from a wide range of experts
• Learn how to inform U.S. policymakers & advocate for change

Download Delegation Flyer