Colombian bishop laments rebel attacks
October 23, 2013
As representatives of the Colombian government and rebels negotiate in Havana to end decades of conflict, a Colombian bishop deplored the effects of recent rebel attacks on his city.
The destruction of towers that carry electricity to Tumaco, a city in southwestern Colombia, has cut off power for several days, the Fides news agency reported.
“We do not have water, because the pumps do not work,” said Bishop Gustavo Girón Higuita. “Fires break out in homes because people use candles, and the fire department cannot pump the water because there is no electricity.”
“From January to September, 178 people were murdered,” he added. “Our city has 102,000 inhabitants, of whom 55,000 [are] young students who now cannot go to school because they are closed due to lack of electricity.”
“Organized groups of civil society,” according to Fides, are seeking the creation of a commission, led by the prelate, to speak directly to the rebels in Havana.
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