A story from Colombia.
Miguel is 15 years old and comes from a mountainous region in western Colombia. Like many other Colombians, he has grown up during turbulent times marked by internal conflicts. Criminal gangs have transformed his hometown into a place where young people face threats from armed groups fighting for control over the city’s territories. Kidnappings, murders, and forced recruitment into gangs are widespread, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Yet, even though the city is in a state of emergency, the residents strive to maintain their daily lives. Miguel goes to school, plays football with his friends, does his homework, and helps out at home with household chores.
Miguel tries to keep his distance from the conflict, but he knows it can creep up on him when he least expects it. He has seen things that children shouldn’t have to see, and the fear of being drawn into the conflict is real.
Miguel’s parents are divorced, and his mother has started a new family. His father and sister have moved to Europe to build a better life. Miguel’s family has strong ties to Europe, where his grandfather was born and raised. The plan is for Miguel to follow them, but he doesn’t know when that will be. Miguel is in a waiting position. His future lies in a distant world he has only heard about and seen in pictures. Until the journey becomes a reality, he must navigate the uncertainty and stay away from the conflict.
“My dream is to become an anesthesiologist and buy a house for my mom.”
– Miguel
Facts about Colombia
Colombia is located in the northwestern part of South America and shares borders with Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. The capital is Bogotá, and the official language is Spanish. With a population of about 52 million and an area of 1,141,748 km², the climate ranges from tropical to temperate. The country is known for its rich culture, including music styles such as cumbia and salsa, as well as its biodiversity, featuring both the Amazon rainforest and the Andes mountains. In 2016, over 50 years of civil war ended when the president and FARC reached a peace agreement. Although FARC and the government are no longer in conflict, unrest persists. In some parts of the country, criminal gangs now fill the void left by rebel groups.
Story and images by Eskil Frøding