Rafael Coicué Part 1 of 5

LA MINGA INDIGENA. UN AÑO MÁS TARDE.
Rafael Coicué es un líder indígena de la comunidad Nasa del Departamento del Cauca.Es sobreviviente de la masacre del Nilo en la que en Diciembre de 1991, veinte indígenas fueron asesinados , incluyendo su hermano, por paramilitares trabajando con la policía nacional y los terratenientes de la región.
El año pasado el movimiento indígena y popular en Colombia, llevó a cabo una mobilización sin precedentes, La Minga Popular, en la que por seis meses protestaron las políticas represivas del estado colombiano y el incumplimiento de las muchas promesas hechas a las comunidades indígenas tales como la reparación por los crímenes de la masacre del Nilo.
La Minga sacudió a la opinión pública colombiana y recibió considerable solidaridad internacional. Un año más tarde, el movimiento indígena continua e insiste en promover la agenda de promesas incumplidas en vista de los intentos del gobierno de Älvaro Uribe de modificar la constitución y postularse para un tercer período.
Rafael Coicué is a native Nasa from the indigenous reserve of Corinto, in Colombias southwest province of Cauca. A veteran social justice activist and community organizer, he is a member of the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca, Colombia, ACIN, one of the leading regional social justice organizations in the country. Rafael is a survivor of the infamous Nilo Massacre of December 1991, where 20 Nasa people, including his brother, were killed by hooded gunman working with the Colombian National Police and local landowners. The attackers were attempting to displace the indigenous community from the Nilo Estate. The massacre, carried out with the complicity of the Colombian state, was condemned internationally, although the victims have yet to be fully compensated for the deed.
Last year, the indigenous and popular movement in Colombia carried out an unprecedented six-week mobilization to protest the governments security and development policies, and their failure to make good on many pledges made to the indigenous communities of Colombia, including reparations for the Nilo Massacre.
The minga popular, as it was called, galvanized Colombian public opinion and received considerable international solidarity. One year later, the indigenous movement continues to promote its five point agenda, especially in light of Colombian President Alvaro Uribes attempt to change the Constitution and run for an unprecedented third term in office. Human rights activists and popular sectors are concerned that Uribes end-run around the Constitution will further erode protections for the poorest and most marginalized sectors of the population.

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