The prevalence of violence against trade unionists in Colombia makes it one of the most dangerous countries for labor organizing globally. Recently highlighted through personal accounts and data, this alarming situation underscores the ongoing threat faced by union leaders and their representatives. The situation presents a stark contrast to more stable regions, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and protective measures.
In July of the previous year, Jesús Cometa, a representative of the agricultural trade union Sintrainagro, experienced a life-threatening incident when armed assailants opened fire on his vehicle while he was navigating through the Cauca Valley. Although he emerged unharmed, his bodyguard sustained serious injury. With the bodyguard still bearing a bullet lodged in his chest, Cometa’s experience epitomizes the constant danger trade unionists face in Colombia where organized labor is frequently at risk. “When you take on these roles in the union, you lose your social life,” Cometa revealed, articulating the deep personal and familial impacts of his commitment to union activities.
The Cauca Valley, significant for its sugar production, has seen a troubling pattern of violence against its labor representatives. The region has a long history of violence against workers, a narrative that stretches back to the 1920s when famed Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez depicted the massacre of banana plantation workers in his renowned novel, “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” The Ministry of Labour statistics indicate over 3,000 trade unionists have been murdered since the 1970s, a reign of terror that unfortunately continues despite relative improvements in the country’s security situation.
Colombia’s trade union environment remains grim. Luc Triangle, the general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), regularly reports on violent acts against unionists, illustrating that Colombia persists as the deadliest nation for such activists. The ITUC’s recent survey covering the year ending in March 2024 documented 22 global unionist murders, with nearly half occurring in Colombia alone. These targeted killings are often calculated and strategically aimed at those seen as a threat to entrenched corporate interests or organized crime, particularly in rural areas.
The violence is intertwined with Colombia’s complex and turbulent history of civil conflict involving left-wing rebels, right-wing paramilitaries, and the state’s struggle for control. Fabio Arias, the leader of the largest trade union federation in Colombia, the Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT), highlights how deeply political affiliations affect the safety of unionists. The labeling of leftist individuals as guerrillas or terrorists has been used historically to justify violent attacks against union members.
Additionally, the illegal drug trade and illicit mining operations continue to fuel violence, particularly in territories where organized crime activities flourish alongside the coca plantations. Regions such as Cauca, Nariño, and Arauca are hotspots where these illegal economies intersect with labor representation efforts, leading to increased assaults against trade unionists and community leaders.
The circumstances surrounding these attacks often remain shrouded in mystery. Unpunished acts of violence against labor organizers make it difficult to ascertain the responsible parties, with many unions suspecting that private businesses may collude with armed groups to suppress union activities. This climate of fear complicates negotiations and hinders workers’ rights advocacy, as threats of violence loom large during discussions over wages and conditions.
In 2023, Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s left-leaning administration made strides to address this issue by formally recognizing trade unions as victims of historical violence. This recognition aims to facilitate investigations and bring justice to those affected. However, there remains an urgent need for multinational corporations operating in Colombia to hold themselves accountable. Triangle emphasizes that businesses should not only profess ethical operations but also respond proactively to the dangers facing union representatives.
The plight of trade unionists in Colombia, a narrative woven through personal testimonies, historical context, and socioeconomic structures, calls for global solidarity and greater international intervention to safeguard labor rights. The responsibility now lies with both governmental and corporate entities to ensure that safety and justice become paramount in the fight for labor movements in Colombia.