The 40,000 indigenous that marched to Cali to demand talks with
Colombian President Uribe are marching back to Cauca and
expect the President to meet them there, after the meeting in Cali
failed because Uribe showed up three hours late.
The protesters will return to La Marí, Cauca, exactly where the march began and will wait for the President there. If the President refuses to show, they say, they will massively march to Bogotá.
Uribe proposed to meet in Popayán next weekend after the failed talks with indigenous leaders Sunday. The President has earlier insisted on talking in Popayán, but received a “no” by the native Colombians, because they had already been on their way to Cali.
The President arrived three hours late at the meeting, because he wanted to attend rescued hostage Oscar Tulio Lizcano, who also was in Cali.
The indigenous demand talks with the president, because they say his government has not kept its promise about the return of land stolen from them by paramilitaries, better health care and education. They also demand protection from paramilitaries that are increasimgly threatening their leaders and communities.
