Cities built around sea ports are often prosperous. Not on Colombia's Pacific coast
around seaports are often prosperous. Not so Buenaventura, on Colombia’s Pacific coast. Its four ports collect more customs revenue than those of any other city in the country. Yet two-thirds of Buenaventura’s 400,000 inhabitants are poor, according to a government measure. Few have access to piped drinking water or sewerage. Rows of metal shacks on stilts jut into the sea. Vegetation devours the only public hospital, which lacks equipment to perform even minor operations.
Among the most important is Ley 70 of 1993, under which 60% of the land on the Pacific coast—6m hectares—is communally owned . Colombia enacted it to benefit the region’s mainly Afro-Colombian people. The area was settled by fugitives from slavery, then by freed slaves after abolition in 1851. Ley 70 gave their descendants rights similar to those of indigenous peoples, including the right to form councils that can claim title to government lands they have long occupied.
But in some ways Ley 70 and the related right of communities to be consulted on projects that affect them, derived from the International Labour Organisation’s convention on indigenous peoples, hold back the region’s people. The effect is made worse by the government’s failure to issue rules that define the application of both rights. That makes unclaimed land subject to an eventual claim by a community.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why Royal Experts Think Archie Harrison Will Follow in Princess Diana's Footsteps'Archie has the potential to become a role model...'
Read more »
Why Lenny Kravitz Is Still a Menswear IconFollowing his red carpet appearance at last night's VMAs, one Vogue writer makes the case for why LennyKravitz is still a menswear icon.
Read more »
Why Seeking Joy Should Be Part Of Your Spiritual Practice'One way we can nourish our souls so we can best serve others is by emphasizing joy.' BeHealthiHer
Read more »
Why Princess Charlotte's school fees are less than brother Prince George'sPrincess Charlotte is set to start school at Thomas's Battersea on 5 September, where her older brother Prince George also studies. However, Charlotte's fees will be much less than her sibling's. Find out why here...
Read more »
Explainer: What is a Queen's Speech and why has UK PM Johnson called one?British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is calling a Queen's Speech for Oct. 1...
Read more »
Halsey Explains Why She Was Texting During Shawn Mendes' VMAs SetThe 24-year-old singer insists she had a good reason for being on her phone during the show.
Read more »