Colombia’s new government proposes tax reform to finance...
Peace talks with Colombia’s ELN guerrillas ‘about to...
Colombia’s largest paramilitary group announces unilateral ceasefire
The men and women who will govern Colombia...
Gustavo Petro sworn in as Colombia’s new president
Colombia to seek decriminalization of drugs despite US...
Colombia’s failing state | Part 6: indigenous under...
How serious is Colombia’s president-elect about fighting corruption?
How violent Colombia became while Duque was in...
Medellin’s secret history of violence against women and...
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
News

Colombia VP and Juanes roll up pant legs in solidarity with mine victims

by Benjy Hansen-Bundy April 4, 2013

sda

An open letter from Colombia’s vice president on Thursday called for politicians and citizens alike to roll up one pant leg in solidarity with landmine victims, a cause championed by the rock star Juanes.

“It is an act which costs nothing but which sends a strong message of solidarity with the victims,” wrote Vice President Angelino Garzon in preparation for the UN-sponsored International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, April 4, 2013.

Juanes, one of Colombia’s most successful artists ever, started the Fundacion Mi Sangre (My Blood Foundation) which aids landmine victims. The Medellin-born pop star starred in the “Lend your leg” campaign video last year which shows athletes, politicians and artists rolling up their pant legs.

MORE: Colombia commemorates landmine victims

“We all roll up a pant leg today … to tell the guerrillas of the FARC and ELN to stop using [landmines] immediately and tell us where the mine fields are to protect the population, demine, and save lives,” Garzon wrote.

“The United Nations is strongly committed to mine awareness and mine action throughout the world. On this International Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a world free from the threat of mines and other remnants of war,” said Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the UN.

Landmines, most often planted by left-wing guerrilla groups like the FARC, present a lethal obstacle to the process of land restitution. These leftovers from the nearly 50-year armed conflict represent a major thorn in the flesh of the peace process in Havana. The landmines prevent displaced Colombians from returning to their land and thus prevent the society at large from moving towards reconciliation.

MORE: Landmines major obstacle for land restitution: NGO

Sources

  • Carta abierta del Vicepresidente (vicepresidencia.gov.co)
  • International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, 4 April (un.org)
Angelino GarzonBan Ki-MoonJuaneslandminesUnited Nations

Trending

  • Colombia to seek decriminalization of drugs despite US objections

  • Medellin’s secret history of violence against women and girls

  • How serious is Colombia’s president-elect about fighting corruption?

Related articles

  • Colombia’s illegal armed groups violently expanded in 2021: UN

  • Colombia’s Truth Commission calls on UN to regulate drug trade

  • UN and OAS urge Colombia to investigate military massacre

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top