‘Water yes, mining no!’: the 87-year-old farmer who became a nature hero in Colombia -1rst October, 2026-

...Since last year, Garcés and 10 other local farmers have faced formal charges for opposing the Quebradona copper mining project, promoted by the multinational AngloGold Ashanti through its subsidiary Minera de Cobre Quebradona. He has since become a symbol of the resistance movement against Quebradona in Jericó...Social protests in support of the “Jericó 11” gained strength in August as the nature defenders awaited new court hearings. “Water yes, mining no! Water yes, mining no!” the crowd chanted before the hearings, which postponed sentence until March 2027...The charges against the 11 farmers are “simple” kidnapping (the moving of someone against their will, without factors such as ransom or serious bodily harm), aggravated theft and assault. Although the judge at the initial hearings on 13 May 2025 rejected the prosecutors’ request to keep the 11 farmers under house arrest, they are still awaiting trial... Although water still flows abundantly through Antioquia’s mountains, the Jerico 11 believe that only collective actioncan prevent drastic changes to their environment...