A group of indigenous Nasa leaders from the Cauca region of southwestern Colombia were kidnapped August 22 while traveling between indigenous state reserves. Those kidnapped were the mayor of Toribío, Arquímedes Vitonás; three local indigenous authorities, Plinio Trochez, Gilberto Coronado, and Rubén Darío Escué; and their driver, Emirson Velasco. As of September 6, two of the community leaders and their driver had been released; the mayor of Toribio and another leader remained in captivity.
The group was traveling from the Toribío Reserve to Altamira Reserve, in a zone under the control of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC) reported that it suspected the kidnappings were related to the organization's recent announcement that it intended to formally protest crimes committed against indigenous peoples in the country's armed conflict, as well as its rejection of government reforms regarding indigenous autonomy and free trade talks with the United States. Many indigenous groups, including the Nasa, have refused to take sides in Colombia's civil conflict. As a result, these communities and their leaders are often targets of violence. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.
