The Legitimate Popular Consultation for the Defense of Water, Life and Territory took place on August 3, 2019 in the municipality of Mercaderes, Cauca. The organization of the consultation and the logistics campaign for the “no” was organized by the Coordinadora Integral Social Mercadereña.
Problems and Purpose
The Legitimate Popular Consultation for the Defense of Water, Life and Territory was an exercise in participatory democracy implemented by the community of the municipality of Mercaderes, Cauca. This consultation reached national relevance due to the solidarity of environmental organizations and processes that accompanied the effort of this small community of the Colombian massif in its struggle for the defense of water.
Background History and Context
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
The consultation took place on August 3, 2019 and was organized by the Coordinadora Integral Social Mercadereña, in charge of logistics and the "no" campaign.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Methods and Tools Used
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
The consultation took place on August 3, 2019 and was organized by the Coordinadora Integral Social Mercadereña, in charge of logistics and the "no" campaign. The citizenry had a high participation in the consultation. In total, 6,449 people voted "no" while 17 voted "yes" to the question of whether they agreed with the activities of exploration and exploitation of metallic mining or hydrocarbons. The counting of votes was carried out by a Community Registry because it did not have the support of the national government.
