The Serankwa community, located in the rural area of Aracataca within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, has faced severe attacks since March 6, 2026, due to clashes between outlaw groups vying for territorial control. These clashes have brought high levels of violence to the area, resulting in injuries to 13 people—2 of whom sustained serious injuries. Direct attacks by these armed groups against the communities have also been reported, including the burning of homes and livestock pens, as well as the killing of animals. The fighting blocked access to the communities, preventing residents from receiving timely medical attention.
In light of this grave situation, Cultural Survival expresses its strong condemnation of the violence suffered by the Arhuaco communities of the Sierra de Santa Marta. This violence places them at grave risk of forced displacement, affecting not only the physical and spiritual integrity of the Arhuaco Peoples but also the territorial balance and health of the region, which, according to their cosmovision, is considered the "Heart of the World." Furthermore, we call upon Colombian authorities to intervene promptly in cases involving clashes between criminal groups on ancestral Indigenous territory, ensuring the protection of those who inhabit these lands and providing immediate medical assistance. The State must heed the communities' demands to establish contingency plans, provide comprehensive humanitarian aid, and ensure an effective institutional presence to prevent further acts of violence.
The presence of illegal armed groups on Indigenous territory violates rights enshrined in international instruments—such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples—and jeopardizes cultural harmony within these territories. It is the responsibility of the State to guarantee the safety and lives of all individuals inhabiting ancestral Indigenous territories and to respect the self-determination of these communities.
Photo by Louis Vest.
