The opposition to the building of El Quimbo dam by ENEL-ENDESA transnational corporation has expanded not only in the communities that will be affected and displaced from the flooded areas, but also among all the political and social sectors of Huila department, where long strikes were held in the past weeks.

Member of CENSAT-Agua Viva /Friends of the Earth Colombia and Real World Radio’s correspondent Danilo Urrea reported about the extremely dangerous situation in the area that was evicted by security forced in Colegio bridge over river Magdalena. Urrea said that demonstrator Carlos Trujillo was seriously injured during the violent eviction by ESMAD, and peasants as well as fishermen were taken by force from the area.

Meanwhile, member of ASOQUIMBO Yennifer Chavarro told Real World Radio that the sole aim of the repression was to give the company green light to continue the works. She said the organization filed a claim against the authorities and the corporation for violation of due process.

“Today the ESMAD forces attacked the population with no legal justification, only under orders of the municipal authority” said Chavarro.

Besides, legal actions will be filed over the resident’s right to live in the area since they will be left “with nothing”, said Chavarro.

On January 18 social organizations opposed to the building of the dam expressed satisfaction with the agreements reached, but they stayed camping in the area as a way to safeguard the commitment that was later broken.

Photo: http://www.lanacion.com.co