“We protested against irregularities in a contract to clean up the San Silvestre swamp, for which a hydrocarbon company gave 5 billion pesos,” explained Velázquez, who is the president of the Federation of Artisanal, Environmental and Tourist Fisherfolk of the Department of Santander (FEDEPESAN).
Velázquez lives in Barrancabermeja, less than a kilometer from the San Silvestre swamp, where she grew up fishing. She and others in the community fish in the marshes and the rivers nearby. They want the local authorities to test the water and sludge for contamination.
“We catch less fish now,” said Velázquez. “This year we have seen animals, even cows and buffalos, fish and birds dying. The West Indian manatees are on the way to extinction, we have proof of all of this.”
Velázquez started fishing when she was five years old, with her mother and grandparents.
“Before the attacks, we used to go fishing every day at night, because that was the best time to fish,” she shared. Now, she goes fishing three times a week, and only during the day. The risks are too high.
In 2020, Velázquez experienced the first attack in her home. Other women in the community have also been threatened and attacked, often in front of their children.
In June 2024, Velázquez received the Amnesty International Germany’s Human Rights Award on behalf of FEDEPESAN, bringing them international recognition. Since then, FEDEPESAN has filed a public lawsuit against the hydrocarbon company for polluting the water and endangering the ecosystem.
The threats to Velázquez’s life have continued, and she cannot move around without a bulletproof vest, an armored vehicle, and security officials.