06/15/2006

On May 18th 2006, more than 3,500 persons sought refuge in the city of Pasto after a protest against the Uribe government and its policies. Most of them returned home a few days later, as they were in a state of complete destitution in Pasto. Indeed, the government agency responsible for assisting the internally displaced, Accion Social, refused to help these people, calling them “political demonstrators against the government”, and refusing to take into account the fact that many, if not most, had left their homes under duress. Moreover, paramilitary groups threatened to kill any person returning without proper identification, and as many of the demonstrators had their papers stolen or destroyed during the march, they were directly at risk. Nonetheless, despite the security problems and vocal denunciation by international organizations, the return process took place, and only the most vulnerable of the group remained in Pasto, in shelters such as the one in this photo, with only the local Church to assist them.