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Joe Anybody Latin America Solidarity
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Workers in Colombia - KRAFT shuts their factory down (Union Busting)
Now Playing: KRAFT in Colombia - palying dirty pool with human lives / Union Busting
Topic: Colombia Solidarity

Colombia suffered heavy rains and severe flooding in the latter months of 2010.  Lives were lost and property damaged.  In the tax-privileged industrial park Zona Franca del Pacífico, floodwaters shut down operations.  Now the water has receded, and companies have restarted their facilities – except for Kraft Foods.  Kraft has announced permanent closure of its facility, putting some 400 workers out of a job, and adding an economic catastrophe to a natural one.

Kraft claims that poor relations between Colombia and Venezuela have hurt its market, when the reality is that relations have improved since the inauguration of Colombia’s new president in August of 2010.  Kraft also says it has unresolved issues with the owner of the industrial park land – but the mayor of the nearby city of Cali has offered Kraft other tax-privileged space, if the company cannot work out its differences at the present location.  Perhaps the genuine motive for the closure is to bust the union representing the workers, in order to be able to exploit a contingent workforce.

Public resources are being deployed to assist businesses damaged by flooding (sometimes a bail-out is literal, not figurative), but what about the workers?

Please contact Kraft and ask them to get back to work in Colombia.  Stand by the workers and ask Kraft to do the same.

CONTACTS:

CEO Irene Rosenfeld – irene.rosenfeld@kraft.com

Irene Rosenfeld

Chairman and CEO

Kraft Food, Inc.

Three Lakes Drive

Northfield, IL 60093

Corporate Facebook Page - http://www.kraftfoodscompany.com/About/who-we-are/facebook_final.aspx

BACKGROUND:

English translation of interview with a union leader by TVPTS Argentina - http://kboo.fm/node/26454 

USW letter to Kraft Foods - http://www.sinaltrainal.org/images/stories/Campo2/kraft%20columbia.pdf

Webpage of the Colombian union, SINALTRAINAL , in Spanish -http://www.sinaltrainal.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=74&Itemid=142

 


Posted by Joe Anybody at 4:59 PM
Monday, 6 September 2010
Blackwater in Colombia
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: Blackwater in Colombia
Topic: Colombia Solidarity

english translation below

Blackwater (Aguas Negras), Blackeagle (Águilas Negras) ¡Que confusión!

Claudia Ruiz, Blog en El Tiempo, Bogotá, agosto 31 de 2010

 

http://www.recalca.org.co/Blackwater-Aguas-Negras-Blackeagle.html

 

Qué mejor estrategia para un gobierno que contratar los servicios de un "ejército privado" para evadir responsabilidades morales y jurídicas amparadas bajo las leyes internacionales, acordadas anteriormente en guerras pasadas, las cuales fueron creadas para no repetir historias de barbarie.

Ejércitos privados cuyas filas están compuestas por miembros entrenados para luchar como fieras o hienas. Escondidos detrás de un gatillo, asesinando "enemigos", amparados legalmente y sin miedo a ser llevados a juicio gracias a prebendas jurídicas ofrecidas por sus anfitriones "desamparados". Pero nadie habla sobre esto. En Colombia hay unas 25 empresas con, aproximadamente, 800 contratistas privados para actuar en el país. Los cuales poseen igual inmunidad que los diplomáticos de la Embajada norteamericana.

Nadie sabe de tragedias ajenas hasta que las vive en carne propia.

Si alguien pierde un ser querido perteneciente a uno de estos ejércitos privados tendrá que procesar el dolor en soledad ya que sus familiares no recibirán una pensión, ni las condolencias, ni mucho menos las gracias o la bandera de su país. Morirán como anónimos no como héroes.

Blackwater es una de las muchas compañías de seguridad privada contratadas por USA. La empresa cambió su nombre en 2009 por el nombre de Xe Services LLC debido a la "mala reputación" que adquirió luego de un escándalo que dejó 17 personas muertas y 27 heridos en Irak contra civiles inocentes en el año 2007. Su fundador, Eric Prince, religioso y ultra conservador, ha decidido ponerla en venta y además piensa irse a vivir a los Emiratos Árabes.

Xe Services LLC, (Blackwater) acaba de negociar con el gobierno estadounidense la suma de $42 millones de Dólares para no ir a juicio después de comprobarse que la empresa violó los reglamentos que rigen el tráfico y exportación de armas en al menos 288 ocasiones. Además que, dicha compañía estuvo en tierras colombianas entrenando mercenarios en el año 2005 y llevó a tierras lejanas a entrenar compatriotas colombianos...

El dinero lo compra todo y 42 millones de dólares enterraron la verdad pues nunca conoceremos quienes fueron entrenados, o en cual lugar de Colombia tomaron lugar estos entrenamientos, ni quiénes lo financiaron o de donde salió el dinero. Además, tampoco sabremos cuales serán las repercusiones para el futuro de nuestro país, el cual lleva 50 años viviendo una guerra, dizque causada únicamente por las FARC o los narcotraficantes.

¡Colombia necesita superar esta guerra pero por las vías legales! Si no conocemos la verdad, la guerra seguirá igual.

Acaban de nombrar al Comité Internacional de la Cruz Roja como salvavidas para mitigar la guerra que vive la Comuna 13 en Medellín, mientras que afuera, en una esquina, en un semáforo o a la entrada de la casa, siguen -selectivamente- cayendo asesinados, luego de ser amenazados (o sin serlo) sindicalistas, periodistas, campesinos desplazados o líderes comunitarios. Como el asesinato de Norma Irene Pérez, madre de cuatro niños, quien valientemente había denunciado la existencia de una fosa común que al parecer contiene restos de víctimas de "falsos positivos".

Black significa negro y "negros tenés los ojos", decía mi padre..pero querido lector: no se confunda que nadie lo quiere confundir...una cosa es Agua y otra Águila.

Es sólo una cuestión confusa pensar que estamos confundidos.

Pobrecitos nuestros cerebros...oxidados con tanta confusión mientras la verdad escondida sigue siendo comprada...


Blackwater (Black Water), Blackeagle Eagles (Black) Let confusion! Claudia Ruiz, Blog at the time, Bogota, August 31 2010 What best strategy for a government to engage the services of a "private army" to evade responsibilities moral and legal covered under the international laws, agreed upon earlier in past wars, which were created for not to repeat stories of barbarism. Private Armies whose ranks are composed of members trained to fight as beasts or hyenas.
Hidden behind a trigger, murdering "enemies" covered legally and without fear of being brought to trial thanks to prebends legal offered by their hosts "stranded". But nobody talks about this.
In Colombia there are about 25 companies with approximately 800 private contractors to act in the country. Which possess equal immunity that diplomats from the us Embassy. No one knows of tragedies outside until the lives in flesh. If someone loses a loved one belonging to one of these private armies will have to process the pain in solitude because their families did not receive a pension, or the condolences, much less thank or the flag of their country. Die as anonymous not as heroes.
Blackwater is one of many private security companies contracted by the USA. The company changed its name in 2009 by the name of Xe Services LLC due to the "bad reputation" which acquired after a scandal that left 17 people dead and 27 wounded in Iraq against innocent civilians in the year 2007. Its founder, Eric Prince, religious and ultra conservative, has decided to sell and also thinks go and live the United Arab Emirates. Xe Services LLC, (Blackwater) just to negotiate with the u.s. government the sum of $42 million dollars not to go to trial after checked that the company violated regulations governing the traffic and arms exports in at least 288 times. In addition, the company was in land colombian trained mercenaries in the year 2005 and led to distant lands to train fellow Colombians...
The money it buys everything and $42 million buried the truth never know who were trained, or in which place of Colombia took place these trainings, or about what financed or where he left the money. In addition, nor will know which will be the implications for the future of our country, which carries 50 years living in a war, so-called caused solely by the FARC or drug traffickers. What Colombia needs to overcome this war but the legal channels!
If you do not know the truth, the war will stay the same. Just to appoint the International Committee of the Red Cross as lifesaving to mitigate the war that lives the Comuna 13 in Medellin, while outside, in one corner, in a traffic lights or at the entrance to the house, still -selectively- falling murdered, after being threatened (or without being) trade unionists, journalists, displaced farmers or community leaders. As the murder of Standard Irene Perez, mother of four children, who courageously had denounced the existence of a common grave apparently contains remains of victims of "false positive".
Black means black and "blacks have the eyes," said my father..but dear reader: not to confuse that nobody wants confuse...one thing is Water and another Eagle. It is only a question confused thinking that we confused. Poor our brains...oxidised with so much confusion while the truth hidden remains purchased...

 


Posted by Joe Anybody at 8:55 AM
Updated: Monday, 6 September 2010 9:04 AM
Thursday, 5 August 2010
SOA Watch Activists Block Entrance of Military Base, Demand Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Colombia
Mood:  loud
Now Playing: Protesting the US Military in Colombia 2010
Topic: Colombia Solidarity

Protest at the Tolemaida Military Base in Colombia
SOA Watch Activists Block Entrance of Military Base, Demand Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Colombia

Email and call the U.S. embassy in Colombia at 011-571-315-0811 to state your opposition to current U.S. policy towards Colombia and ask U.S. Ambassador William R. Brownfield to meet with the SOA Watch delegation.

A group of nine SOA Watch activists is currently in Colombia to confront the escalation of U.S. policy in the region and to express solidarity with courageous Colombians working for peace and justice. On Tuesday, the group set up a vigil at the Tolemaida military base, where U.S. soldiers are stationed. Yesterday, two busloads of 65 activists from Justicia y Paz, the Movement of Victims of State Crimes, the Mothers of Soacha (who are seeking justice for their children who were killed as part of the "false positive" scandal), SINALTRAINAL, and others arrived to join the 9-member SOA Watch delegation, who proceeded to block the entrance to the base. Activists held banners denouncing US intervention in Colombia as well as Iraq. Visit www.SOAW.org to watch a video of the protest at the military base.

Father Roy Bourgeois said of the action: "It's a great joy to be in Colombia speaking with Colombians, with one voice, against U.S. domination and militarization. Our delegation has been deeply moved by the strength and spirit of so many Colombians struggling for a just peace in Colombia." National and international press reporting on the protest: Latin American Herald Tibune, El Espectador (Colombia), La Jornada (Mexico), TeleSUR (Venezuela), Common Dreams (United States).SOA Watch in Colombia

 

SOA Watch in Colombia Later today the SOA Watch delegation will leave the area and travel to Bogotá, is the capital city of Colombia. Tomorrow, the group will go to the U.S. embassy in Bogotá. Amplify the voices for justice and peace in Colombia by contacting ambassador Brownsfield now. Call the U.S. embassy in Colombia at 011-571-315-0811 and send an email by clicking the link below.

Click here to send an email to the U.S. embassy in Colombia.


The School of the Americas and Colombia


Colombia, with over 12,000 troops trained at the School of the Americas (SOA/ WHINSEC), is the institute's largest customer.

SOA Watch has documented cases in which SOA graduates and instructors have been involved in massacres, the killing of striking workers, assassinations and torture. The report State Terrorism in Colombia cites 247 Colombian officers for human rights violations. Fully one half of those cited were SOA graduates. Some were even featured as SOA guest speakers or instructors or included in the "Hall of Fame" after their involvement in such crimes.

The FOR/ USOC report Military Assistance and Human Rights: Colombia, U.S. Accountability, and Global Implications continues to uncover the connections between SOA/ WHINSEC graduates and instructors with extrajudicial killings and other serious human rights violations in Colombia.

Human rights activists from Colombia will travel to the United States in November to join the Vigil to Close the SOA at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia. Join them and thousands of others as we speak out against SOA violence and change U.S. foreign policy.



Support the Resistance to U.S. Military Intervention

SOA Watch does not accept money from the U.S. government nor corporations. Support from our 68,000 members is what makes our work possible. Please make a contribution today.
Stand up for justice at the gates of Fort Benning, Georgia in November:
SOAW.org/take-action/november-vigil

Posted by Joe Anybody at 7:47 AM
Friday, 9 October 2009
Human Rights Help Needed: Colombian Activist in Visa Limbo
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: Principe Gabriel Gonzalez has suffered repeated persecution because of his work
Topic: Colombia Solidarity

Principe Gabriel Gonzalez, like many human rights activists in Colombia, has been harassed by his own government. Baseless criminal charges, imprisonment, stigmatization as a "terrorist"-these are unfortunately an all-too-common experience for human rights defenders in Colombia

Gonzalez has endured these challenges to continue his critical work fighting for justice for victims of the conflict in Colombia - and this is why Human Rights First has chosen him as the recipient of our annual human rights award. But Gonzalez may not be able to come to New York this month to accept the award - not because the Colombian government will not let him leave Colombia, but because the U.S. government has not granted him a visa to enter the United States.

We are asking for your help to remove Gonzalez from the bureaucratic limbo he has been in for the last four months. Sign our petition today to urge U.S. government officials to grant Gonzalez a visa.

Gonzalez's case illustrates the predicament activists face when they are falsely accused of being terrorists as a result of their work in support of human rights. In an ironic and sad twist of fate, his advocacy fighting for the rights of prisoners landed him in jail in Colombia and now threatens to bar him from entry to the United States. His visa is being held up apparently because of the false charges lodged against him by the Colombian authorities-despite U.S. agreement that those charges amount to nothing.

In a report earlier this year, Human Rights First exposed how Colombian prosecutors routinely use trumped-up charges to stigmatize and silence human rights activists. Fortunately, we have achieved real progress in a number of the cases we documented, including the release of over a dozen activists who were unjustly detained and the opening of an investigation into a prosecutor involved in one of the cases. 

By honoring Gonzalez with this prestigious award, we are recognizing his courage and dedication to the pursuit of justice as well as the broader movement to advance human rights in Colombia.

Colombian Activist in Visa Limbo

Like many activists in Colombia, Principe Gabriel Gonzalez has suffered repeated persecution because of his work – including baseless criminal charges, imprisonment, death threats, and stigmatization as a “terrorist.” He has endured it all to continue his critical work fighting for justice for prisoners and victims of the conflict in Colombia. Human Rights First is honoring him with our annual human rights award this month.
                                         
However, Gonzalez may not be able to accept the award in person–not because the Colombian government will not let him leave (as you might expect), but because the U.S. government is not granting him a visa. Earlier this year, Human Rights First released a report, In the Dock and Under the Gun: Baseless Prosecutions of Human Rights Defenders in Colombia, that documented the widespread and systemic nature of the problem.
                                         
We are asking for your help to get Gonzalez out of the bureaucratic limbo he’s been in for the last four months. Send a message today to urge U.S. government officials to grant him a visa, putting into practice our stated policy of supporting human rights defenders in Colombia. 


The letter to send is below:

We urge you to approve the visa application for Colombian activist Principe Gabriel Gonzalez so that he can accept Human Rights First’s award in New York on October 22, 2009.

It has been over four months since he first applied for his visa and he has received no explanation for the unreasonable delay. I understand that the U.S. government may have concerns about the criminal investigation against him. However, the State Department and numerous United Nations bodies have agreed that those charges are specious.
 
The State Department has supported Gonzalez’s fight against the trumped-up criminal charges that may now prevent him from entering the United States. In addition to receiving Human Rights First’s award he would meet with policymakers in Washington to better inform U.S. policy vis-à-vis Colombia.

Gonzalez’s case is just one example of a larger problem in Colombia where activists are subjected to baseless charges intended to stigmatize and silence them. Earlier this year, Human Rights First released a report In the Dock and Under the Gun: Baseless Prosecutions of Human Rights Defenders in Colombia, that documented the widespread and systemic nature of the problem. Last month, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders led an extensive visit to Colombia, meeting with Gonzalez and decrying the problem of unfounded criminal proceedings against Colombian activists.

Refusing a visa to Gonzalez sends the wrong message to the Colombian authorities and undercuts U.S. policy to support Colombian human rights defenders who are under attack.

Please grant Gonzalez a visa. He deserves the recognition the award would afford him and granting the visa would demonstrate that the United States is standing by its policy of supporting human rights and the rule of law in Colombia.

The link to send this letter is below

 http://actions.humanrightsfirst.org/t/5124/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=699


Posted by Joe Anybody at 5:01 AM
Updated: Friday, 9 October 2009 12:48 PM

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