No.was, feminist and environmentalist in a country where these three characteristics are not considered advantages, quite the contrary. Yet since Sunday the name of France Marquez represents the most important historical change Colombia has gone through.
France Marquez, first Afro-descendant vice-president
A change that proclaims vice president of the country the first Afro-descendant woman. Yes, just her, single mother who challenged international mining interests as an environmentalist and fought the country’s social discriminationmarks a turning point in a country plagued by social inequalities and historically ruled by conservative elites.
“I am an Afro-Colombian womanHe said, appearing in the many electoral rallies. “I gave birth to my first child at the age of 16 and worked in families to pay the bills.
But I’m also an award-winning environmental activist. And most importantly, a lawyer who could become Colombia’s first black vice president. Our governments have turned their backs on the people, on justice and peace. If they had done their job well, I wouldn’t be here. ‘
The new vice president of Colomba is Francia Marquez. (Getty Images)
Activist against multinationals
Activist, with deep roots in Colombia’s identity, for the past 20 years he fought against the multinationals that exploit the mining area around the Ovejas River and force people to abandon it.
He still remembers the “March of the turbans”, a protest of 80 women who walked from Cauca to Bogotà for 10 days and 500 kilometers. Then demonstrating in front of the Ministry of the Interior for almost 20 days and convincing the Government to undertake to destroy all the illegal farms around the Ovejas.
“I want to apply for this country. I want the population to be free and dignified. I want our territories to be places of life “he often tweeted.
France Marquez, the prize and the attack
For his efforts against Colombian illegal mining in 2018, won the Goldman Prize, the most coveted award in favor of the environment. In 2019 they tried to kill her just as he was demonstrating against illegal mining in his country. He survived to fight again and run for politics.
Now finally the “historical change” has arrivedas she herself defines it, the “greatest possibility of change in recent times”.
Sunday, Colombians elected their first ever left-wing presidentGustavo Pedro, who defeated a real estate millionaire in a ballot win, e chosen France Márquez against all odds.
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