Since BP began oil exploration and production in Casanare Colombia in the early 1990s, six thousand people have been assassinated and three thousand people disappeared. Every time there have been complaints or protests in opposition to BP's interests, the community leaders concerned have been killed. This indicates an elimination strategy of violent social control. The agents have been the military and paramilitary groups, but BP as a corporation hás itself been complicit in the human rights violations.

On 22 November President Santos was in London to promote British investment in Colombia. We went to the London School of Economics (LSE) to greet him, and to express our opposition to the big mining 'locomotive' and free trade agreements, given that they only bring misery and poverty.  The only ones who will benefit from foreign investment will be the multinationals and Colombian oligarchy. We also called for a full investigation of the false positives scandal (with at least 1,200 victims assassinated by the army) that occurred when Santos was Minister of Defence.

MOVICE, 15 December 2011, Colombia

The National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE) denounces and opposes the serious harassment and threats against various members of the Tolima Branch from the month of June until the present. These instances of harassment are taking place against the backdrop of actions in support of student demonstrations, the demands for the protection of the territory in Cajamarca against the multinational AngloGold Ashanti, and the organisation of and participation in the International Verification Mission, which took place as part of the Campaign for the Right to Defend between 28 and November 30, in which organisations and parliamentarians from various countries in Europe, Latin America and the United States investigated the human rights situation in Colombia.

This documentary tells the devastating story of the discovery and exploration of Oil in
Casanare, northeast Colombia and the strategy of Big Oil, in this case British Petroluem, for
looting oil resources.  Around 300,000 people live in Casanare. In the past 20 years, three
percent (3%) of the population have been murdered or disappeared. Many more have been
forced to abandon their lands and and peasant farmer livelihoods due to violence by the
joint actions of Colombian armed forces and paramilitary groups. This climate of fear relates
in with investor “security” for BP's oil flow and profits resulting, assuring that their is no
grassroots opposition to the oil extraction.

Santos Leading Colombia towards Prosperity for All?

Colombia Solidarity Campaign London Briefing Meeting
7pm Tuesday 15 November
The Apple Tree pub, 45 Mount Pleasant, WC1 (Russell Square, Farringdon, Kings X or Angel tube)

Speakers:   Report back from delegation to Cajamarca plus briefings from Colombian guests