In Barrancabermeja, Colombia, fishing families like those of Yuli Velasquez and Jesus Echeverria are fighting not only for their livelihoods but for their lives. The wetlands of the Rio Magdalena Medio, once a biodiversity hotspot, are now under threat from oil pollution and illegal activities. Standing up against this destruction comes at a high cost: assassination attempts, death threats from the Gulf Clan cartel, and constant psychological terror. Despite being part of a state protection program and having the option to go into exile, Yuli and Jesus choose to stay — driven by the belief that the fight for clean water is a fight for everyone.
The danger isn't just from armed groups but also from powerful oil interests. EcoPetrol, operator of Colombia's largest refinery, denies responsibility for contamination, even as fishermen uncover evidence of illegal discharges. Yet there is a glimmer of hope: a recent court ruling forces authorities to conduct strict water quality assessments, and local communities are joining forces with unions and human rights groups.
How long can they keep resisting when the price of protecting water might be their own lives?
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