Murdered on September 13, 2019 in Riohacha-Maicao, La Guajira.
José was a Palabrero from the Wayuú community of Maicao in La
Guajira. He was part of the Greater Board of Palabreros and his
leadership was recognized because among the indigenous communities
of the north of La Guajira he was in charge of carrying out the
peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and words. The
figure of El Palabrero in the Wayúu culture is of very high
importance, because in addition to fulfilling a diplomatic task,
they have a very important spiritual character.
José Manuel belonged to the Wayuu indigenous community of
Karaquita, in the rural area of Maicao.
José confronted and proclaimed to the multinational Cerrejón for
the respect of indigenous territories, considered sacred and were
not the object of negotiations for extractivism.
On another occasion, at a meeting of the Wayú Nation with
delegates of Human Rights from the European Union, in Riohacha;
the leader raised his voice protesting against the systematic
corruption of the State and the indifference of its political
leaders.
“Mr. Pana Epieyú stood out throughout his life as a central figure
in the processes of peaceful conflict resolution, especially in
the Jurpimana community, in Maicao” “He was fundamental in the
task of sharing and resolving the concerns of the victims of the
conflict over their rights in the transitional justice system ”,
the entities detailed about a meeting they had with Pana Epieyú,
on August 9, called Voces de las Víctimas, which took place in the
city of Riohacha in La Guajira.
In order to continue contacting artists, printing portraits and
holding other demonstrations, we kindly invite you to make your
donations.
Thanks in advance!
There are sources of information and organizations that work
with victims of the conflict in Colombia.
For example check out: "Somos Defensores"
If you want to make a portrait and know about the life and social struggles of one of the Colombian Social Leaders, contact us.
