By Monti Aguirre, Director, Latin America Program
In a long overdue victory, Colombian President Gustavo Petro last week handed over nearly 1000 hectares of land to close to 100 families displaced by the construction of El Quimbo dam. Built on the Magdalena River—Colombia’s most important waterway, vital for the country’s ecosystem, culture, and economy—the dam effectively privatized stretches of the river, resulting in the loss of some of the region’s most productive lands and impoverishing communities whose livelihoods had depended on agriculture and fishing.
The impact of El Quimbo has been devastating, displacing families and severely disrupting artisanal fishers’ livelihoods. Communities reliant on the Magdalena River —some for generations—have faced economic hardship, loss of fishing grounds, and ecosystem destruction. Fishermen and women from Gigante, Hobo, and Campoalegre experienced systematic human rights violations, including harassment, threats, and assassinations. Despite these challenges, they continue to fight for compensation.
This long-delayed step to offer redress to affected communities could signal a broader reckoning with Colombia’s history of dam-induced displacement, which has impacted tens of thousands across the country.
A Long Struggle for Justice
The construction of the 400 MW El Quimbo dam, developed by the multinational company Enel, submerged over 8,500 hectares in the department of Huila, bringing an end to agricultural production that was once worth over $7 million annually.
Communities in Huila had organized as early as 2009 to resist the El Quimbo dam. Under the administration of then-President Uribe, the government evicted nearly 100 families from their lands. After 15 years without a concrete solution for the victims, the National Land Agency (ANT) acquired nearly 5,000 hectares in Huila, with 3,000 of those designated for compensating farmers displaced by the dam. This milestone marked a significant step in addressing the long-standing grievances of those affected.
The land restitution followed the ruling of the Constitutional Court’s T-135/13 decision, which recognized the rights of the displaced families. Many of the beneficiaries of this initial round of reparations were members of Asoquimbo, which has long fought for justice on behalf of those impacted by the dam. However, the government also committed to compensating farmers who were not legally recognized as affected but who still suffered significant losses due to the project.
This initiative by the government could signify the start of a broader effort to address past injustices and ensure that those displaced by development projects are no longer overlooked or forgotten. For the communities of Huila, this represents not just the return of land but the restoration of livelihoods and a new chapter in their fight for justice.
International Rivers, in partnership with Asoquimbo, has been a key ally in supporting affected communities in their fight for justice. International Rivers remains committed to standing with these communities as they seek comprehensive reparations and protection from future threats. While this moment marks a significant milestone, the road ahead remains long, and the fight for their rights, land and river is far from over.