| Nariño massacres | |
|---|---|
.svg) Nariño shown in red | |
| Location | Nariño Department,Colombia |
| Date | 4 and 11 February 2009 |
Attack type | Massacre |
| Deaths | 27 |
| Perpetrators |  FARC |
| Defenders | IndigenousAwá people |
TheNariño massacres (Spanish:Masacres en Nariño) were twomassacres ofIndigenousAwá people in theNariño Department ofColombia perpetrated by members of the rebelRevolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in February 2009. A total of 27 Awás were massacred, including women and young children.[1]
The first massacre occurred on February 4, 2009, when a FARC guerrilla group entered the village Tortugal. FARC accused the Awás of collaborating with theArmed Forces of Colombia.[2] These accusations led to the torture[3] and killing of seventeen Awás, eight of whom were killed with knives, according to a witness who managed to escape.[2] The incident was denounced byHuman Rights Watch and the Governor of the Nariño Department,Antonio Navarro Wolff.[4]
The second massacre occurred a week later on February 11, when ten Awá were murdered in the Sandé shelter between Ricaurte and Guachavez,[5][6] apparently because they failed to provide FARC with information about the Colombian forces operating in the area.[5] In press releases, FARC stated that they support the Indigenous, but not those who conspire against them.[1] The National Army of Colombia only found one of the bodies. Although the Awá live in a protected area, this did not prevent armed groups from entering their territory.[7]