National Geographic USA - 11.2019

(Ron) #1

colombia


REFUSING TO YIELD


Despite efforts to end decades of guerrilla conflict in Colombia, secret mobile


camps are still home to the country’s National Liberation Front (ELN), which


has rejected ceasefires brokered with other groups. Labeled terrorists and


extortionists by government officials and other Colombians, ELN members


call themselves fighters for justice. “My dream for this country,” said a fighter


who calls herself Comandante Yesenia, “is social equality—and gender equality.


I can feel the machismo even within this organization.”


142 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

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