Violence affects Colombias popular tourist destination

Colombia’s Sierra Nevada National Park Sees Rise in Armed Group Activity

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, a popular tourist destination in Colombia, is facing challenges due to the presence of armed groups. The park, which features snow-capped peaks and turquoise waters, has seen an influx of visitors in recent years.

Armed groups, including the Self-Defence Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN), have been involved in extortion and turf wars in the region. The ACSN, a group of former paramilitaries, controls cocaine trafficking routes and is also involved in illegal gold mining. Extortion has become a lucrative business for the group, with members demanding a cut of earnings from hotels, tour bus companies, and Indigenous communities.

The Kogui Indigenous people, who live high up in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park, have expressed concerns about their safety and future. The governor of the Kogui community stated that they are “afraid and anxious” due to the presence of armed groups.

In February, the government closed Tayrona National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for over two weeks following threats against park rangers allegedly issued by the ACSN. Authorities have accused the group of pressuring Indigenous Wayuu residents in the park to resist a crackdown on illegal activities such as logging.

The influx of tourists has marked a significant shift from the 1980s and 90s, when the region was a battleground for clashes between paramilitaries and FARC rebels. Ten years after FARC laid down its arms, the ACSN still holds sway in much of the area.

In recent months, Colombia’s biggest drug cartel, the Gulf Clan, has tried to muscle in on the ACSN’s territory, leading to clashes with the group. Indigenous communities are caught in the middle, struggling to maintain their traditional way of life amidst the conflict.

The Colombian government has received over 46,000 extortion complaints since 2022, highlighting the issue as a key concern for the country’s tourism industry. The hotel association in Santa Marta has expressed fears about the impact on Colombia’s fragile tourism boom, citing concerns about visitor safety and the park’s image.

Source: Al Jazeera