Make the Sonso lagoon of Valle del Cauca visible, from the perspective of territoriality for peace Visibilizar la laguna de Sonso del Valle del Cauca, en perspectiva de territorialidad para la paz

Abstract

This research arises from the commitment to contribute to the academy to make visible actions that, in particular, are carried out by rural communities to benefit the construction of territorialities for peace, a relatively new field of study in Colombia, from a theoretical point of view.

The project was developed with the participation of residents settled around the Sonso or Chircal lagoon in the center of Valle del Cauca. The place has characteristics that distinguish it as a strategic ecosystem for the department. There, the population settlements date back to the 16th century, and today, they are characterized as artisanal fishermen, guardians of the place when they notice interventions that threaten the ecological balance of the wetland. Furthermore, these communities have subsisted from generation to generation through fishing as an income generator.

The present study was developed through the interpretive methodological approach to analyze information obtained from artisanal fishermen and other institutional actors who mobilized in defense of the territory mentioned above when a farmer sought to expand his arable area to plant sugar cane. The peaceful resistance and nonviolent mobilization managed to stop the advance of civil interventions and consider the place territoriality for peace.