plowunited.net – In July last year, Jesús Cometa survived a brutal attack in Colombia’s Cauca Valley. Gunmen on motorbikes fired bullets at his car, hitting his bodyguard but missing him. Cometa works as a local representative for Sintrainagro, the country’s largest agricultural union. He explains how his union role has cost him his social life and endangered his family. Colombia has long been dangerous for unionists, with thousands murdered since the 1970s. Despite improvements, attacks on trade unionists continue, making Colombia one of the world’s deadliest countries for organized labor activists.
Violence Against Trade Unionists in Numbers
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) monitors attacks on union members worldwide. Its recent report shows 22 unionists were killed globally in one year. Colombia alone accounted for 11 of those deaths, nearly half. From 2020 to 2023, Colombia recorded 45 unionist murders, with 29 in 2022 alone. Luc Triangle, ITUC’s general secretary, emphasizes these killings are targeted, mostly involving active union members in small communities. He notes the violence remains severe compared to other countries. The statistics reveal a persistent threat to workers’ rights defenders in Colombia’s rural and urban areas.
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Roots of Violence: Political Conflict and Illegal Economies
Trade union violence in Colombia ties closely to the country’s long civil conflict. Left-wing rebels, right-wing paramilitaries, drug traffickers, and the state have all clashed over decades. Fabio Arias, head of Colombia’s largest union federation (CUT), explains the government’s labeling of leftist unionists as terrorists fuels attacks. Additionally, illegal industries such as coca farming and mining worsen the danger. Attacks cluster in regions where these illegal economies thrive, including Cauca, Nariño, and Putumayo. This complex mix of political and criminal violence targets unionists attempting to organize and protect workers’ rights.
Who Is Behind the Attacks?
The perpetrators and organizers of attacks on unionists remain unclear due to Colombia’s many armed groups. Some trade unionists accuse private businesses of hiring armed groups to suppress labor organizing, especially during wage talks. Yet, many attacks go unpunished, obscuring accountability. Zenón Escobar, another unionist from Cauca, highlights the confusion about who orders or carries out violence. The uncertainty deepens the fear and insecurity among union members. Without clear investigations and justice, the cycle of violence continues unchecked.
Government Efforts and the Role of Multinational Companies
Colombia’s government, led by President Gustavo Petro, has shown increased support for trade unionists. In 2023, it officially recognized unions as victims of the civil conflict, aiming to improve investigations into attacks. Luc Triangle sees this as an important step but stresses that foreign companies must also act responsibly. He urges multinational corporations operating in Colombia to take greater accountability for workers’ safety. Triangle warns against companies maintaining codes of conduct while ignoring unionist killings. The protection of trade unionists requires combined efforts from the government, businesses, and international actors to end violence and ensure justice.
