“Cerrejón condemns threats against fuerza de mujeres wayuu leaders and sintracarbón’s igor diaz and requests prompt investigations from authorities”, 16^th May 2019

In light of recent threats aimed at members of the Fuerza de Mujeres Wayuu organization and Igor Díaz, a member of Sintracarbón’s National Board, Cerrejón once again wishes to state that we are horrified by this situation and completely condemn such reprehensible acts. Since the moment in 2016 when the company learned about the first case of threats…against Fuerza de Mujeres Wayuu, Cerrejón has repeatedly requested that the authorities take all necessary steps to avoid any act that threatens the life and physical integrity of human rights leaders and environmental defenders in La Guajira. Given the persistence of the threats against members of this organization and their families…the company wants to make clear the urgency of investigating the situation…This is why the company has repeatedly asked the authorities to act promptly in adopting measures to make sure all these people remain safe and to bring to justice those responsible…Cerrejón also wishes to express our support and acknowledgement of the work the Fuerza de Mujeres Wayuu organization, as well as other organizations and leaders, do in the territory. Although we may have different views on coal mining, we are in complete agreement on everyone’s right to freedom of speech and we fully understand that community leaders have a vital role to play…