Current Issues We can mention some of the problems currently facing the Pueblo Wayuu, it should be noted that in particular we refer to the problems we face in the community of the Cabildo Wayuu Nouna Camp located at the periphery of the Municipality of Maicao in the Media Guajira, as well as other communities with which we have done some joint work processes, however, also make some generalizations that occur throughout Wayúu.
paramilitary groups have come to exercise control and dominion over almost all economic activities - legal and illegal in the region - relegating the Wayuu to less productive activities.
massive forced displacement of Wayuu communities located on strategic areas caused by the action of paramilitary groups. Crating and confinement
Wayuu communities, which prevents them from paramilitary groups freedom of movement. Cabildo Wayuu Nouna
As Camp, we are located outside the boundaries of the reservation of the Middle and Upper Guajira, which implies that legal certainty on the land we occupy and possess non-existent. Presence of megaprojects
gas (pipeline Venezuela), hydrocarbons (exploration along the Caribbean coast), energy (wind farm Jepirrachi) etnoturísticos (construction of infrastructure in the Cabo de la Vela). Location
bases and paramilitary troops along the border with Venezuela.
Violation and disrespect by the armed actors (legal and illegal) of autonomy and their own authorities Wayuu communities.
systematic threats against leaders and women leaders of the Wayuu people by paramilitary groups. Presence
Wayúu refugee families in Venezuela fleeing paramilitary violence. Weakening
own legal system Wayúu due to interference of the armed conflict.
By being outside the boundaries of the reservation of the Middle and Upper Guajira, do not have the ability to independently manage their own financial resources, since we are not covered by the General System of Units.
Because we are a community located near the city limits of Maicao, develop productive activities in rural areas every day lose more weight and prestige among the trades and the work of urban character, which are derived mainly where our revenues money.
present a wide geographic mobility across the international border between Colombia and Venezuela, which is thus turned into a real fluid border that is transferred from one place to another according to the trade and economic fluctuations of the two countries. While
within our community we have our traditional authorities identified, in many cases they fall short when it comes to building and maintaining internal governance. On the other hand, the absence of an organized community standing, makes the dialogue with the institutions of mainstream society is cyclical and spasmodic.
In general terms communities show a rapidly growing insecurity and socio-economic impoverishment. This results in the presence in these communities about high rates of unmet basic needs.
The younger generations of this community show a very marked trend in migration that takes them to settle, most definitely, in various cities of Colombia and Venezuela. This migration brings with it the community is being formed mainly by older people that often fall under the responsibility of children, children of migrant parents.
Although the traditions and address more fundamental nationalitarian Wayúu are still showing in the community, it is noted that families living have problems resulting from the loss of identity, rootlessness and cultural decay.
community have been adversely affected by the presence of paramilitary groups who, among other things, have come to permeate the codes of ethics and honor thus perverting the intraethnic conflicts and wars that have historically characterized the Wayuu.