The Peasants’ Revolt

Published by ARTE Reportage - click here

At just nine years old, Daniel spends his days picking coca leaves on his family’s farm. In this remote part of Colombia, growing drugs is the only way to make a living. But the state is cracking down on crack, and has started dropping crop killer from the skies. But it hurts the farmers the most, while armed drug traffickers continue to control the region.

Armed groups who live from the cocaine trade have ruled there for 60 years. Until recently, the state was virtually non-existent here. But with the peace negotiations, the state now also wants to eradicate coca cultivation, sending soldiers and planes with glyphosate. They attack farmers and fields instead of breaking the power of the cartels or using a new infrastructure to ensure that the farmers can cultivate and market something else. A few weeks ago soldiers shot at farmers who protested. Our reporters managed to film the farmers' struggle for survival in one of the most inaccessible areas of Colombia.

Directors / Juan Camilo Cruz / Tom Laffay

Producer / Arturo Gómez

Commissioned / ARTE Reportage

Run time / 24:45

Language / Spanish / German VO

Year / 2021