Dismantling Colombia’s minefields

Americas Now

Colombia has more landmines than any country in the world, except for Afghanistan.More than 11,000 Colombians have been killed or maimed by these explosive artifacts, systematically used by the guerrilla groups to fend off the armed forces in the regions where the conflict is fought.

One of the most important issues being discussed in the peace talks the Colombian government is holding with representatives of the FARC guerrillas in Havana, centers around the landmines and how to dismantle them.

Both sides have agreed to cooperate in freeing the ground of all landmines by year 2025, an effort in which FARC participation will prove crucial.
Correspondent Toby Muse traveled to the landmine-infested mountains of Antioquia to report on the arduous and perilous exercise of deactivating these explosives. He experienced first-hand the impact this brutal practice has had on the civilian population, and how former guerrilla members are already collaborating in the location and deactivation of the deadly artifacts.