In memoriam
In memory of María Ligia Chaverra, “Enduring Matriarch of Curvaradó” (1942-2021), accompanied by PBI for 20 years.
““I hope that my grandchildren and great-grandchildren will experience a new Colombia, a Colombia at peace.” ”.
It was with deep sadness that PBI received the news of the passing of the much respected Afro-Colombian leader from the Bajo Atrato region, María Ligia Chaverra, who died at the age of 81 on 24 June, 2021. María Ligia was a founder of the Humanitarian Zones of the Curvaradó basin and legal representative of the Community Council for six years. She was accompanied by the Justice and Peace Commission (JyP) since 1999 and, through them, by PBI Colombia. María Ligia was known for her courage and tireless work in defence of her people’s territory, their right to land restitution, and their ethnic rights. María Ligia dedicated her life to bringing attention to the serious risks faced by communities in Bajo Atrato, in the face of illegal operations by palm and banana plantation companies, as well as denouncing crimes such as assassinations, disappearances and forced displacements. Despite having been forcibly displaced 13 times during her lifetime as a result of paramilitary incursions in alliance with the National Army, María Ligia never lost her energy and hope for a better future. Read our last interview with her here.
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Annual Rerpotl 2021
PBI Colombia
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