They marched by the thousands—young men, mothers with babies strapped to their backs, Indian leaders in woolen ponchos and bowler hats. From the Pacific Coast to the northern grasslands and the mountain ranges of the Andes, members of dozens of tribes descended during October and November on Colombia’s principal cities, Cali and Bogotá. They were demanding the return of lost lands, the rescinding of laws they deem environmentally destructive, and the scaling back of mining and oil projects in their territories. What began peacefully Oct. 10 turned violent 11 days later when clashes erupted in the southwestern department of Cauca between Colombian troops and over 7,000 Indians blocking the Pan-American Highway. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. When... [Log in to read more]