In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.
A two-hour flight on a 60-seater plane from Bogotá lands in Florencia, the capital of Caquetá. From there, a two-hour drive leads to Héctor Ramírez, 10 kilometers from La Montañita, offering a gateway to Colombia’s Amazonian forests. The 30-minute journey from La Montañita reveals lush greenery and grazing cattle, reminiscent of Gujarat’s Gir cows, though distinct. Reports note that commercial grazing on community forestry lands, now controlled by Colombia’s elite, has caused massive deforestation in the region. However, post-2016, ranching and mining have significantly declined, and the forests are looking greener.
While organizers provided an air-conditioned bus from the airport, many of us switched to a vibrantly painted local bus, called a Chiva, at La Montañita. Adorned in bold colors and blasting music, it evoked the feeling of traveling in rural buses with loud music in Bihar and Bengal.
Agua Bonita welcomed us warmly, with villagers assembled in the makeshift hall where the event was organized. The stunning beauty of the village defied its revolutionary past. Murals and paintings on every house wall paid tribute to commanders resembling Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, blending natural splendor with striking graffiti. The impact of the former commanders and their ideology was openly visible in the village. In an open hall, a large community gathered alongside several officers of the armed police, local leaders from the municipality, and community elders. The events that followed were led by a confident yet concerned woman, Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria—popularly known as Betsy—who took the microphone to make announcements in Spanish. Security officers outlined strict protocols, reflecting ongoing tensions. This hall served as our discussion center for three days.
Héctor Ramírez ETCR (Territorial Space for Training and Reincorporation) was established post-2016 to reintegrate former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) members into civilian life. Named after Héctor Ramírez, a FARC leader killed in the conflict, the region was a FARC stronghold in the 1990s and early 2000s. Despite the peace accord, dissident threats and violence persist, as evidenced by the heavy police presence during our visit. Without this historical context, Agua Bonita might seem like a staged showcase, but its lakes and mountains make it undeniably picturesque. The security protocol resulted in the male members of our team, numbering nine, being shifted to a secluded place about a kilometer outside the main venue—but it came as a boon for us. The locality was stunningly beautiful, surrounded by greenery and a serene lake. We learned that these huts were intended to promote eco-friendly tourism for communities in Caquetá.
Interestingly, the community’s camaraderie defines Agua Bonita, transforming it into a beacon of peace and hope. Focusing on sustainable agriculture and ecotourism, it symbolizes a fragile yet inspiring shift from conflict to coexistence, serving as a model for reconciliation and democratic inclusion.
The village of Agua Bonita won our hearts not merely because of its beauty, but also because of its people and their philosophy of life. Leading the community through this particular event was Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria, known as Betsy among her friends and colleagues. Born on January 14, 1979, to a peasant family in Neiva, Huila, in the Caquetá region, Sandra fled home at 12 as life became extremely difficult after her father’s disappearance during the violent clashes between revolutionaries and government forces. “My father disappeared in Neiva, Huila on February 13, 1986, when I was six,” she shared. “I consider myself an orphan due to the conflict between guerrillas and the army, where civilians were caught in the crossfire and accused by both sides.”
Sandra witnessed the violent suppression of local people seeking their rights and endured the trauma that followed. It is beyond imagination how a young girl, not even in her teens, survived such challenges—not natural but state-sponsored. Her parents worked as peasant contractors for the wealthy Lara family, who owned prime lands in Caquetá. It is a sad reality that the poor often serve the business interests of the powerful. FARC fighters had targeted the rural landed elite, redistributing land after seizing it. For the state, this was criminal, but the area remained under FARC control.
During the conflict, FARC forcibly redistributed lands to peasants. Her father’s disappearance, a victim of state repression, shattered her family. “My mother found it difficult to raise me,” Sandra recounted. “At 12, I ran away and begged FARC to take me in, as my mother could no longer cope.” Joining FARC offered her a sense of family and purpose. “Life in the guerrilla struggle was tough and austere, but we lived like a family, with reading, training, and ideology to understand the class struggle.”
Sandra’s commitment to community shines through her work with children. Though she chose not to have her own, she fights for the well-being of over 25 children aged 18 months to 5 years, ensuring they receive foundational education. “What I love most about this community is the family warmth and collective spirit, despite challenges,” she said.
During our conference, children with cameras documented the event, trained in videography, photography, and editing at a local library run by the Multi-active Cooperative for Good Living and Peace in Caquetá (COOMBUVIPAC). It was wonderful to hear how they report on village problems, stay informed on current issues, and read the latest books. Founded by The Commons Party, COOMBUVIPAC has 115 members engaged in farming, construction, and cooperative work for a solidarity-driven economy.
As president of the Association of Women Producers of Essence of Peace (ASMUPROPAZ), Sandra champions women’s economic autonomy through agro-food gardens, human rights, and ecosystem restoration. Active for five years, ASMUPROPAZ fosters mutual agreements for responsible land governance, benefiting families beyond its members. Sandra also serves on the municipal peace council and the Departmental Council of The Commons Party, established in 2017 to ensure former FARC members’ political participation. “I’ve led reconciliation and peace projects,” she said, “and I’m a member of the Territorial Planning Council of La Montañita.” Sandra is a woman of ideas and deep conviction, who leads from the front and encourages her colleagues and sisters to embrace self-reliance and economic independence. For three days, we saw her in various roles—from distributing food and snacks to coordinating logistics and hosting guests.
Agua Bonita’s murals and monuments are reminiscent of leftist movements in Kerala, West Bengal, and Telangana, where communities honor victims of state violence. A memorial created during the Agua Bonita Festival reflects the community’s struggle and hope, with symbols of pineapple farming and peacebuilding. Yet Sandra acknowledges ongoing challenges: “Repression persists from shadowy state forces. Over 450 peace accord signatories have been killed since 2016.” This reflects the dark reality that not everyone is pleased with peace—some within the state seek to rearm themselves, while dissenters still dream of a ‘Bolshevik revolution.’
Sandra’s story underscores the importance of inclusive peace. “The 2016 peace agreement aimed to ensure a dignified life for Colombians,” she said. “I don’t oppose it, but I’m critical of its failures. It’s about the dignity of the excluded majority and caring for biodiversity.” Her words echo the frustrations of Colombia’s marginalized, challenging elite narratives and advocating for economic independence. As someone engaged with the Ambedkarite perspective, I found myself deeply moved. We often speak of India being ruled by a Brahmanical minority, but learning about Latin America and Africa reveals the global damage wrought by colonialism. The reality is, across societies, whether in the form of white supremacism, Brahmanical hierarchy, or feudal Muslim elites, the ‘minority elite’ still holds power—despite lofty claims of democracy and rule of law. In Colombia, post-colonial laws have only strengthened the control of the settler elite. Yet, the fight against injustice continues. The good news is that common people—indigenous, native, and Bahujan communities—are learning the art of politics and governance, as Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria so clearly demonstrates.
A song shared by Sandra, performed by two young people and Emilio, a peace accord signatory and artist in Agua Bonita, captures this spirit:
"In the land where I was born,
where the sun embraces and the wind is harsh,
I sowed dreams with sweat and faith,
in a field where the skin grows tough.
Sowing hope, we will fight,
with heart and strength, never giving up.
For peace, for life, for a new day,
sowing hope, the future will come.
Amid bullets and broken promises,
we walk with a devoted soul.
Pain taught us to grow,
and in the struggle, we never stop believing.
In the fields, in the jungle, in the heart,
we carry the flag of redemption.
We don’t give up, we stand tall,
for a tomorrow where everyone will thrive.
Sowing hope, the future is here,
in our hands, we will make it near.
With love, with struggle, with dignity,
sowing hope, peace will arrive."
(Click here for link to the song)
Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria proudly embraces her association with FARC and the communist movement. She states, "I am an ordinary woman, a socialist, and a proud member of the Comunes Party, also known as the Commons Party. Rooted in a social and peasant sensibility, I take pride in working alongside women deeply impacted by Colombia’s conflict—a reality I’ve lived since childhood. Many misunderstand socialism and communism. Colombia can be a patriarchal, violent, and individualistic society, yet socialism and communism are beautiful philosophies centered on prioritizing collective well-being over competition. Embracing a simple life fosters happiness through solidarity and shared purpose."
I’m struck by Sandra’s response to my provocative question. In so-called liberal democracies, socialism and communism are often vilified and dismissed as contemptible. In many societies, these terms are even criminalized. Yet Sandra articulates them as a lived philosophy grounded in her experiences—something many of us struggle to do. Her political education and worldview stem from the practical realities around her, offering a perspective more authentic than uninformed critiques.
Sandra’s journey—from a childhood marked by conflict to a leader advocating for peace and empowerment—mirrors the transformation of Agua Bonita. Her story challenges elite narratives and calls for global solidarity among oppressed communities to rewrite their histories and build a future rooted in dignity and justice.
A big salute to Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria.
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*Human rights defender
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