Espacio Bristol-Colombia is a collective of people working in solidarity with Colombian social activists, communities and human rights defenders, who face threats, murder and imprisonment as a result of their struggles for another possible world. We are part of the Red de Hermandad y Solidaridad con Colombia (Network of Friendship and Solidarity with Colombia), a space for coordination between various Colombian and international groups.

We invite people who would like to organise events, actions and creative projects or who would like to volunteer in Colombia accompanying organizations and communities to get involved.

Accompaniment Blog

Guarapo Meloso is currently accompanying in Colombia, inspired to return after being here for six monthes in 2008 and accompanied campesino and indigenous organisation. See his blog las cartas marcadas

"Gizzacroggy" is currently doing accompaniment in Colombia and is writing regularly about the stories that are shared with her and her experiences and reflections.  Read read her blog priviliged insights .

She is planning on visiting the UK in March 2010. Please get in touch if you are interested in hosting her for a talk about her experiences in Colombia.

Stories and News from past accompaniers:

Archived reports from Guayusa Andina and Guayabo Pastuso, who worked with communities affected by oil exploration venid a ver

Frog Lover accompanied social organisations and worked lon the impact of agro-fuel crops. See her blog bio-duels

Guarapo Meloso stayed for six in 2008 and accompanied campesino and indigenous organisation. See his blog las cartas marcadas

Agro-fuels and climate chaos



Colombian organizations held a Climate Justice Tribunal, which highlighted how climate chaos has the worst effects for the poorest populations and is a consequence of a system based on economic growth and huge levels of consumption by those who can afford it. The promotion of agro-fuels was also high on the agenda. Agro-fuel crops, especially African Palm, now cover large parts of the Colombian countryside, with small-scale farming communities and the production of food staples being violently displaced by right-wing paramilitary death squads to make way for agro-industry and monocultures. The Tribunal called for grass-roots social movements to unite in radical action against climate chaos and capitalism, and not wait for ‘solutions’ from an establishment that is part of the problem. More info…

Colombian News Bulletins

News Bulletin No.4 September 2009

National news, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Minga, Climate Justice

"The Comité Prodefensa de Taganga spoke about how as sea levels rise and warming sea temperatures
threatens fish populations, the fisherman in the pretty seaside village of Taganga, organise against intensive tourism which threatens to further damage the fragile ecosystem and thus their livelihoods. "

News Bulletin No.3 August 2009

News Bulletin No.2 July 2009

News Bulletin No.1 June 2009

Twin with a threatened Colombian in BP’s oil exploration zone



Espacio helped organise a international delegation in 2007 which found that army units protecting BP’s installations are still murdering rural community members, whilst the British oil giant continues to reap ecological destruction. You can read the report here (Spanish version here). You can help prevent this violence and support people in the region by twinning with a Colombian under threat under the Pen-Pal Protection Plan.

More info on BP in Casanare

More info on becoming a pen-pal

Four years of impunity: justice for Jhonny Silva



Some of us were part of a delegation to Colombian universities in September 2005, and present at a peaceful student protest during which riot police killed the student Jhonny Silva. It took two years for the Colombian authorities to begin to investigate the case. Four years later the case remains in impunity. Indeed this is much the case for most human rights violations by the state forces and paramilitaries, which gives the green light to keep killing protesters - so it’s really important to keep up the pressure, even years later.

Un documental en español sobre el caso: Cuatro años de impunidad