The Raizal Development Center shares the unbearable sorrow, and great pain that most of the population of this Archipelago is having in these moments. We lament the assassination of our distinguished young artist and servant leader, Fabian “Hety” Perez Hooker, and all from the long list of victims of violence on our territory, during the last 18 years. We uplift the good teachings, and legacy of “Hety”, and we condemn the violence in our Territory.

Sad to see how we lost the peace of our life and of this territory, where people once coexisted in respect, in love, and in harmony with God, Nature and their neighbor; … In true richness!

Sad to see how honesty, hard-working, sacrificial service leadership, solidarity, humbleness, gratitude, and the desire to please God are sometimes not appreciated nor promoted as before.

Sad to see how we have failed to recognize and defend the heritage and legacy from our ancestors, represented in those unmaterial values and principles, Christ-centered, build over the centuries. Sad to see how we permitted egocentrism, greed to materials things and money, to take over us.

RDC is concerned… and we believe that, on the other hand, this situation is due to our permissiveness and/or unconsciousness over imported or imposed habits and customs that are causing the degradation of our moral values and quality of life. All resulted in an extensive set of corrupt practices that permeated all aspects of our society: schools, government, authorities, businesses, neighborhoods, homes, and our lifestyle in general.

On the other hand, the long-coming savage colonialism by Colombia over our lives and territory, timely left us without our lands, in poverty, overpopulated, militarized, corrupted government system, invaded by drug trafficking, and exploited by selfish and greedy businesses which reduced the Raizal People to a minority governed by others. Without our system of self-government, our own system of education, our own system of justice, own system of health, and own economic model, how can we freely guide our destiny, reestablish ourselves, and give account? Where will we build those solid principles, values, and cultural identity in our kids, when for over a century the system doesn't even show interest to teach our history, culture, language, and rights?

This new reality is destroying us. Justice, security, and health became the main claims of the uprising movement of artists and young people -who we support. Those systems are inefficient and characterized by a culture of corruption and colonial regime; structural solutions are needed!

We would like you to know that our Raizal Self-determination and Development School (RSDS) is open and available to continue sharing about our real history, the root of our problems, and construction of solutions toward them.  We look forward to sharing the legacy of “Hety”.

Remember, I am because we are! – ubuntu!  Rest in peace, brother “Hety”.  Yours truly,

Jairo Rodriguez Davis

Reconstructing our Territory, Authority and Dignity