Colombia: In Colombia, Indigenous Youth Seek to Protect Land. They Have to Escape Violence to Do It

Jul 15, 2025 | Steven Grattan
Associated Press
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Indigenous groups have often argued that they are uniquely qualified to act as protectors of the land, and have often fought for legal rights to do so. But in a region where bountiful natural resources are often exploited for illegal mining, deforestation and logging, confronting that illegal activity can be dangerous. It’s especially so in regions like Cauca, where violent groups frequently target Indigenous children and teenagers for recruitment.