Roadblocks Huila (Province), Colombia

[xfiltrate]

San Augustin and Pitalito, Colombia We have been 15 days confined( we sheltered in place until yesterday) by a series of roadblocks, (stones/bolders + temporary gates) blocking all major roads. Elisa fractured three bones in her right foot and the only way we were able to evacuate from San Augustin was in a prepaid ambulance - we were inspected by coffee grower /farmer protesters manning the roadblocks seven (7) times during the 30K ambulance ride between San Augustin and Pitalito, Colombia. They were not happy campers, and while we were allowed to pass the sides of the ambulance were slapped and a few stones thrown our direction.

There is a national media blackout due to the upcoming presidential elections. These protests represent a problem for the incumbent president, due to the farmers claiming the current government has not complied with promises made that ended the roadblocks of 2013...

Local radio stations are carrying some updates but other than a couple foreign reports coming in, there has been little or no national coverage. There has been violence. One report claimed ,(not confirmed) a passenger in an ambulance was killed by the protesters. According to the foreign press (including supporting protest in Bogota) 220 protestors and others have been injured, with 60 of those being police or military. One report stated 15 people have been killed.

Pitalito has no gasoline at the pumps. Taxi service is falling off, food supplies are dwindling and overt sales of alcohol have been prohibited. I found a way around by having small quantities of delivered to our hotel.

The airport is open, but all flights Pitalito to Bogota booked for the near future. We are safe and Elisa is starting to get around on crutches. She wears an immobilization boot and will not be able to walk /ride for 6 months.

We are working with DIAN (customs) for an extension of our TVIPs but this is complicated as the government computers went down just as approvals were being secured..... The officials stated the protestors have sabotaged government communications. No way to tell if this is true or not. There have been some rumors of a more widespread protest and roadblocks will occur if agreements are not reached soon. At this time there is no end in sight.
Questions welcome. We would like to touch base with other Hubbers in the area.

xfiltrate and rosa del desierto
reporting from Pitalito , Colombia

[xfiltrate]

Yesterday the Colombian Minister of Agriculture was in town (Pitalito, Colombia ) and met with he leaders of farmers "paro" strike/roadblock protest. Some agreement was reached as the roadblocks were lifted as of this morning. 13may2014.

Yesterday, we had coffee at a table next to the strike leaders prior to their meeting with the Minister and all were in good spirits - Everyone is in good spirits today.

On another front, the DIAN (customs) approved our 6 month TVIP extensions for our 2 motorcycles authorized due to the Elisa's injuries (3 fractured bones in her right foot) while crossing "La Trampolin de la Muerte". We never should have attempted the unpaved 80 K of hour long delays caused by recent landslides, waterfalls that washed out the road and dangerous unguarded drop offs prior to reaching Mocoa, Colombia.

The task was well beyond our strength and our off road abilities... we misinterpreted the road conditions due to heavy rain and snow melt.

The way is now clear for us to fly To Bogota and then on to our ranch in Arizona for Elisa's recovery. We will return to Colombia for our motorcycles and then ride home to Buenos Aires later this year.

The Colombian people have been wonderful. From everyone we met came offers of help. Food was shared when scarce, safe storage was found for our motorcycles, medical care was excellent and the DIAN officials did all they could to approve our tVIP extensions in a timely manner. Even the "paro" roadblocks were lifted so the ambulance carrying Elisa and I and an attending nurse could pass from San Augustin to Pitalito for needed medical treatment. Viva Colombia.

We look forward to returning to Colombia and staying for as long as our TVIPs and tourist visas permit. Thank you all who have followed us here on the HUBB. And a big thanks to our friends at Globebusters.com whose Colombian contacts were on standby if needed. And, thank you to James and Sean (Butch Cassity and the Sundance Kid) young - tall and handsome motorcycle over landers, we met en route, who offered rescue if needed.

xfiltrate and rosa del desierto

eat, drink and be careful