In the small rural community of Palo Cabildo, nestled in the western Andes of Colombia, 87-year-old farmer Porfirio Garcés diligently cares for his anthurium plants in his modest garden. With enthusiasm, he shares insights about his extensive vinyl record collection, which features genres ranging from classical to pop music. However, his primary focus has shifted to a more pressing matter: the preservation of his homeland, to which he feels a profound attachment, and his commitment to safeguarding it.
The region is home to numerous water sources that provide essential supplies not only for Jericó, where Garcés resides, but also for several nearby communities in Antioquia. Prominently displayed on the front porch of his home is a sign with the urgent message: “Yes to water.”
“We do not want to wake up to the sound of machinery drilling into and ravaging our land, destroying the beauty of our landscape,” Garcés expresses passionately. “We must protect our water sources. Without water, we face the threat of dying from thirst.”
Since last year, Garcés, along with ten other local farmers, has been formally charged for opposing the Quebradona copper mining initiative, which is being advanced by the multinational corporation AngloGold Ashanti through its subsidiary, Minera de Cobre Quebradona. Garcés has emerged as a prominent figure in the resistance movement against the Quebradona project in Jericó.
Public demonstrations in support of the “Jericó 11” have gained momentum since August as the environmental advocates awaited upcoming court proceedings. “Water yes, mining no! Water yes, mining no!” chanted the crowd before the hearings, which have now postponed the sentencing until March 2027.
The charges against the eleven farmers include “simple” kidnapping, aggravated theft, and assault. While the judge denied the prosecution’s request to impose house arrest during the initial hearings on May 13, 2025, the farmers remain in a state of legal limbo as they await their trial.
AngloGold Ashanti has been operating in the region for 15 years, intending to extract copper from an area traditionally recognized for its agricultural production, which includes crops like coffee, plantains, cassava, beans, and corn. The company received its first exploration license in 2007, covering nearly 8,000 hectares (approximately 19,800 acres).
This initial phase was extended for a maximum period of 11 years, as permitted by Colombia’s mining regulations, after which the company consolidated its holdings to apply for an exploitation license to commence extraction activities. However, in 2019, the National Environmental Licensing Authority archived the application, citing insufficient technical information and requiring the company to conduct further studies before proceeding with mining operations.
In August, Colombia’s National Mining Agency granted an extension for the exploration phase at Quebradona, now lasting until December 8, 2027. Although mining has not yet started, the company still needs to address various social and environmental concerns and complete additional assessments. Meanwhile, Abelardo de la Espriella, who has been serving as Colombia’s far-right president since August, has aggressively advocated for the expansion of oil, gas, and mineral extraction, including fracking, as a central component of his economic agenda.
Last month, 281 local organizations signed an open letter declaring AngloGold Ashanti and Minera de Cobre Quebradona as unwelcome entities, arguing that the mining project poses a threat to the environment, local water sources, and the agricultural economy of Jericó. Many activists contend that the legal actions against the farmers are an attempt by AngloGold Ashanti to silence opposition to the Quebradona project.
The kidnapping charge emerged in 2023 concerning public land owned by the municipality of Jericó, designated for the protection of underground water sources. Community members claim that mining employees entered this land without authorization to conduct excavations. In response, the farmers went to the site to halt the work and alerted local authorities, including the police, the ombudsperson’s office, and the mayor’s office, to request the removal of the workers. Following this, the miners filed complaints alleging they had been held against their will.
Gustavo Arboleda, a 62-year-old farmer also facing charges, mentions that the community became increasingly alarmed by the potential impact on their water resources when the company set up an exploration drilling platform on the La Fea stream, a vital water source for the area. This incident, he notes, ignited their campaign of resistance.
The village of La Soledad, situated on the mountain where mining is planned, is home to most of the accused. Its name pays homage to the Piaya cayana bird, known locally as soledad. From this village, one can view the Cauca River basin, a significant waterway in Colombia.
“After the mining company failed to complete its studies for obtaining extraction permits, it began to bring in machinery at night and offered some farmers money to rent their land. We noticed this and prevented the machinery from entering; that’s when we faced additional charges,” Arboleda explains.
Rodolfo Tobón, 44, who also faces charges, resides in La Soledad with his family on a farm where they cultivate cassava, bananas, plantains, coffee, and beans—crops essential for their livelihood and the community at large. “This land is incredibly fertile; whatever is planted flourishes,” he states. “This is life—not just for us, but for many others as well.”
Tobón, who serves as the president of the village’s community action board, raises concerns about the company’s engagement with the local population since its arrival. He emphasizes that residents do not wish to see Jericó transformed into a mining town, as mining has never been part of their history. “When the mine came, they did not disclose that they were a mining company. They claimed they were conducting soil studies to determine agricultural potential in Jericó,” he recalls. “Only later did we realize that it involved large-scale mining. The company acted deceitfully; they did not clearly communicate their intentions.”
AngloGold Ashanti has publicly stated that its Quebradona project is designed to ensure environmental sustainability and promote local development.
