After nearly ten years of forensic investigations, Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has discovered the first “skeletal remains” at La Escombrera, a well-known location within Medellín’s Comuna 13. Long believed to harbor thousands of victims of forced disappearances during Colombia’s armed conflict, the significant finding was revealed Wednesday by the tribunal’s magistrates. The forensic units operating in Medellín’s largest municipal dump excavated over 36,000 cubic meters of debris and building materials to verify the human remains of at least two individuals.

The remains, along with pieces of clothing, were discovered outside a targeted excavation area during the fifth phase of the intervention conducted by.

JEP and the Unit for the Search for Missing Persons (UBPD)

Since July 202
, this location has been the target of extensive excavation efforts, with teams removing layer upon layer of earth in the heart of a vulnerable Germany Cell Phone Number List community that was the focal point of one of the largest military campaigns against organized crime in 2002, known as ‘Operation Orion’. The discoveries may signify a crucial shift in addressing decades of unresolved questions and pain from families searching for their missing relatives.

“This finding is a historic answer to the cries of families who have tirelessly fought for decades to draw attention to this site,” stated JEP magistrate Gustavo Salazar. “It represents progress toward dignity and justice for the victims and their families.”

La Escombrera has long been considered the largest “open air grave,” with victim advocacy groups and human rights organizations frequently identifying the site as a burial ground for bodies during Medellín’s violent conflicts in the early 2000s. At the peak of the conflict, approximately 502 individuals disappeared in Comuna 13, adding to the city’s alarming total of 5,912 registered missing persons.

For many years, mourning families have recounted tales of their loved ones being seized by armed groups and disposed of at the municipal dump. Their accounts, which were often overlooked or dismissed, have now been validated with tangible forensic proof. Advocacy groups, including Mujeres Caminando por la Verdad and the Corporación Jurídica Libertad, have played a crucial role in advocating for intervention and justice.

The discovery was facilitated by the coordinated efforts among Colombia’s peace system entities, including the UBPD and the JEP’s Forensic Technical Support Group (Gatef). The intervention has also depended on multidisciplinary teams consisting of anthropologists, forensic scientists, and topographers. The protective measures instituted around La Escombrera, initiated by the JEP in 2020, were vital in enabling these efforts.

“This accomplishment highlights the significance of institutional action in confronting

The past and preserving the rights of victims,” remarked Luz Marina Monzón, director of the UBPD. “It’s a tribute to the determination of families who Cell Phone Number Database never ceased their search.”

The ongoing forensic intervention covers a 6,912-square-meter area, with a smaller segment of 2,
17 square meters designated for excavation in this phase. The present discovery occurred just 2.5 meters beyond this zone, emphasizing the intricacy of the site’s history and the difficulties encountered in revealing evidence.