Since 1984, the Irish multinational Smurfit Kappa has been grabbing land in the Cauca, Colombia region to plant extensive Pine and Eucalyptus monocultures for the manufacture of paper and cardboard. These commercial plantations, covering 2,974 hectares in the municipality of Cajibío alone, cause serious damage to nature through biodiversity loss.
By removing native forests and habitats, agribusiness negatively impacts soil and the availability of water. The destruction of native vegetation reduces water sources and threatens wild animal and plant species with extinction. Another adverse effect is the repeated violation of human rights that the multinational imposes on the communities through the criminalization of social protest, the persecution of community leaders and the militarization of the villages where it has a presence, generating anxiety among the population.
The indigenous communities of the Cauca in Southern Colombia have united to push back against the land grabbing and environmental contamination, food insecurity and hunger caused by Smurfit Kappa’s presence in the territory.
Since 2021, about 1,415 peasant and indigenous families have worked tirelessly to demand the exit of Smurfit Kappa from the municipality of Cajibío. One outcome has been the establishment of the Territory of Interethnic and Intercultural Life (TEVIC), whose main objective is to give fertile land to peasants and indigenous people who lack it. This would ensure their permanence in the territory, support the production of agroecological food and promote food sovereignty. A mixed delegation from these communities and the Colombian government will travel to Ireland in 2024 with the aim of purchasing land from Smurfit Kappa for the establishment of this Territory.
In the framework of the 8th International Conference of La Via Campesina, Talamh Beo (members of La Via Campesina International), have agreed to join the National Agrarian Coordinator (CNA) of Colombia early next year when they visit Ireland. Talamh Beo will stand in solidarity with the CNA to fulfil the international mission of TEVIC by highlighting the societal and environmental damage caused by the Irish multinational, Smurfit Kappa.
FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE TERRITORIES, FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, FOR INTEGRAL AND POPULAR
AGRARIAN REFORM, LONG LIVE THE SOLIDARITY OF THE PEOPLES AND GRASSROOTS
INTERNATIONALISM.
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