The Most Dangerous City in Colombia
Field Notes from Buenaventura
As a Human Rights advocate, I’ve visited and advocated for some of the most vulnerable communities in Central and Latin America. One such community is the Afro-Colombian community living in dilapidated wooden houses on stilts above the waters of La Playita — one of the deadliest areas in Colombia.
There is one reason that makes Playita dangerous — cocaine. If you examine the photo above, you will notice a man loading; guess what? I was fortunate that I wasn’t killed taking the photo. No, I’m not exaggerating. Buenaventura has been seized by warring guerrillas and paramilitaries for decades. There have been attempts at no-conflict peace zones in the area, but they seldom hold up against the violent reign of drug traffickers. Forty percent of Colombia’s international cocaine trade flows through here — most of it heading to good ol’ USA.
People who dare challenge the brutal state of drug trafficking pay the price through murder and dismemberment, body parts strewn around the port to warn others never to intervene. During my stay in Buenaventura, two people were murdered at my place of accommodation. This is not a vacation spot. This is hell on earth.
