Colombian Communities Face Eviction Threats for Solar Project
Rural residents in Las Galias report impending displacement to make way for energy infrastructure, prompting urgent calls for community consultation from local rights defenders.
A dispute over land use in the Las Galias sector has intensified, with rural communities warning that they face imminent eviction to clear space for a proposed solar farm. According to reports shared by local human rights defender Yuli Andrea Velásquez, residents who have occupied the land since 1983 are under pressure to leave, a move that authorities have not yet fully detailed in public forums.
The situation has drawn attention from international observers, including Peace Brigades International, which has supported local rights organizations in the region since 1994. The core of the conflict lies in a request, filed two months ago, for the solar project to be formally presented to and discussed with the affected community before any displacement occurs.
Residents describe decades of stewardship
Local lot holders argue that their presence on the land is long-standing and legally recognized through possession rights. Hernan Barrera, one of the residents, stated that he acquired his position in 2012, following a prior recognition of ownership rights when a road was constructed through the area. He emphasized that the land has been actively cultivated for agricultural purposes for over four decades.
Barrera detailed the ecological efforts made on the site, noting the planting of approximately 40,000 citrus trees and 4,000 fruit trees, including avocado and mango varieties. He also highlighted the presence of bamboo plants and dozens of rescued animals that depend on the site for shelter. He disputed accusations of environmental damage, asserting that the land has been restored rather than degraded during their tenure.
Institutional support for community rights
Yuli Andrea Velásquez, an environmental engineer and president of the Federation of Environmental and Tourism Artisanal Fishermen of the Department of Santander, is leading the defense of the community's interests. Her organization, Fedepesan, is working alongside the Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights, which has provided accompaniment to ensure that the rights of the residents are respected during this process.
According to the GN geopolitics/rights (en-US) report, the primary demand remains the formal presentation of the solar farm project to the rural communities. Velásquez has continued to advocate for this procedural step, arguing that it is a fundamental requirement for any development project affecting local populations. The international community remains attentive to the outcome of these negotiations.
Uncertainty over future land use
The tension between energy development goals and the rights of long-term rural occupants remains unresolved. Authorities have cited environmental concerns and property ownership issues as the basis for the potential eviction, while residents maintain that their possession rights are valid and that the project has not been properly consulted. The next steps will likely depend on the local government's response to the petition for community dialogue.
Observers are watching closely to see if a formal meeting between the project developers and the Las Galias community will take place. The outcome will set a precedent for how similar energy projects are implemented in rural areas where land tenure is complex and historical. The balance between economic development and social stability in this sector is now under intense scrutiny.
