Cabo de La Vela, Columbia (AP) – Zoyla Velaskez, a native of La Gujira region in North Columbia and a huge wind turbine tower over the holy cemetery for their indigenous Veu community.
This dry, wind-swept area, dotted and flock of goats rotate with cacti, has immense potential to keep Colombia in position as a wind and solar power leader. However, resistance from the Veu community has stopped several proposed projects by multinational companies and government. Veu is concerned about environmental and cultural influences and lack of pre -consultation in one of the country’s poorest regions. Now, these companies are also monitoring the possibilities of offshore wind farm in the region.
“This cemetery is sacred to us,” Wauu, “Wayuu leaders say the danger is not a cemetery, but the spirituality of the region. “It is here that the bones of our ancestors rest. This is most important to us. ,
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According to Colombia’s mining and energy plan unit, the region can generate about 15 GW of wind energy, which can provide electricity to an estimated 37.5 million houses annually. It is just part of Colombia’s energy infection, aims to replace fossil fuels with renewal supporting weak groups such as indigenous people. Wayuu says that this is not happening.
Growing stress
Construction began on the La Guajira 1 wind farm – which rotates on the cemetery near Kbo de la Wella – after a mixture of legal procedures, government support and controversial dialogue and unsatisfactory pre -consultation in 2020. It has faced significant opposition from VeU and has been producing electricity since 2022, but has not yet been associated with interconnected systems.
“Veu spirituality is the fundamental basis of our life and existence,” said Annibal Mercado, the head of the Regional Vayu Council, “Palabrero,”. He was not part of consultation due to his staunch opposition. “If something bothers the peace of our dead, they are impressing spiritual peace and peace. And as long as there are (turbines), there is going to be direct violations, anxiety and effects. ,
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Note the editor: This is part of a series of how tribes and indigenous communities are fighting with climate change.
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A lot of population also protects the traditional, semi -nominated methods of living on “rancheria’s”, which are dried cacti and mud, flocks like a roof huts made of cattle and goats, and are many armed. He also has laws based on a traditional governance system and their cultural and spiritual practices.
Critics warned that the government may increase stress to accelerate approval for other developments.
“La Guazira has been demanded by these companies,” said Samuel Lanao, head of La Guazira, La Guzira. “When a foreign company enters these areas with the intention of exploiting renewable energy, there is always a conflict.”
The Government of Columbia has committed to honor indigenous rights through a legal framework like the 1991 constitution, which recognizes indigenous autonomy, and ensuring international agreements that ensure their rights for prior consultation and participation in those decisions Does that affect them. The 2016 peace agreement also touched the rights, land restoration and participation in political processes of indigenous communities.
According to a Bogota, social issues with 57 planned projects, with 57 planned projects have begun to snatch companies.
“It is clear that they are worried. Due to that struggle, there has been a slowdown in the progress of these energy transition projects, ”Lanao said. “I believe that the national government plays an important role in achieving a community-company agreement.”
Columbia’s Ministry of Environment did not respond to the requests of comments.
A replacement for coal?
The region is the home of Serzone, one of the largest open-pits coal mines in the world and a major player in the Latin American mining sector, which has been in operation since 1985. There are only nine years left in the lifetime of the mine, and without its alternative schemes, the closure caused a significant setback to the economy of the region.
“You can imagine what this energy transition means to us,” Lanao said. “This renewable energy sector comes to supply the income that coal exploitation gives us in La Guajira today.”
Developing wind projects in Guajira is important to guarantee a reliable supply of electricity in Colombia, called Margharita Neos, founder of Colombian offshore Pawan Research Network, Margharita Neo and La Gujira Native, Margharita Neo.
Nevs added to La Guajira, it represents an opportunity for a new industry that will generate employment, it will give it a center for the production of goods and services for the wind power sector, and of its inhabitants Will contribute to meeting the demand for electricity.
But this issue is causing internal friction within the Veu community that stems from different views on economic benefits with some auxiliary development for financial benefits.
AP spoke to several Veu families living near Pawan Turbines, who do not oppose working companies there, as they have received financial assistance and housing.
Others are not confident.
“An old saying is that if you never have a chicken owned, the manure looks like an egg,” Markado, Palabrero said, when asked about the people of those communities who accept help from companies Do what is much less than what. He will consider appropriate compensation.
“There are many communities that had nothing. In the midst of such a need, so much crisis, so much hunger, any small money that is being introduced to them, now seems like a miracle treatment and the biggest property in the world, ”he said.
New offshore scheme also closed
Companies are now studying for offshore wind farms, which are also angered by Veu, especially traditional fishermen, known as Applanchi.
Lanao of the Environment Authority says, just because the project is in the sea, it does not mean that communities do not have influence.
Apalanchii uses traditional fishing techniques, which contain mesh, hooks, and sometimes spearfishing. It is not only a means of livelihood, but also a culturally important activity that they say that they connect to their ancestors and land.
“We are really worried about the offshore wind farms,” 57 -year -old fisherman Aaron Laguna Ipuana said with her crew during a morning fishing trip at Kabo de La Vela. “They are going to displace us and the sea is everything for us. It bothers us. ,
Markado says that the government needs to do more to ensure that people are involved.
“We are worried that these projects are going on and the government is allowing them to move forward, without saying what is going to happen and what is in the interest of the Veu people,” Mercado said.
“If necessary, Veu protects their area with blood and death,” he said.
In the cemetery, Welaskase, wearing a traditional Veuyu rebellion and headcharf, gently strokes and sees tombs with his sister and young niece. In the background, the turbine blades continue to change.
“The nobility of a vesuU is used by companies,” says velazakes. “Can they do something good for us … the way we want.”
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