Hundreds of Bojayaseños participated in the commemoration of 17 years of the massacre, a violent act that left 79 dead and nearly 100 injured.

Accompanied with the "praises" of the singers of Bojayá, the inhabitants of this Choco population, located on the banks of Atrato River, participated in the commemoration day of the massacre that took place in their church on May 2, 2002.

The "Mutilated Christ", symbol of the massacre and resistance of people from Bojaya, the same one who received the blessing of Pope Francisco in Villavicencio more than a year ago, led the day of commemoration in honor of the 79 deaths that the tragedy left.

"This commemoration is an unforgettable day, 17 years of the massacre in Bojayá, because as a victim population we cannot forget and we must always remember our memory so as not to repeat these events", said Yaila Mena, a member of Bojaya´s Women and Life Foundation.

The procession continued in pangas on the Atrato until the old Bojayá, the scene of that confrontation between FARC guerrilla and paramilitary groups that operated in the zone. The church San Pablo Apóstol, place where a pipette with explosives fell, lodged to all the population that participated in the liturgical act. "It is very important to keep in mind what happened many years ago. So, it is very important that you do not forget and that year after year you continue to do the mass and keep remembering what happened", said Maritza Asprilla, a resident of Bojayá.

One by one the deceased was mentioned and a candle was lit in their name.

At the end of the day victims met with local and national authorities, "We are here as a National Government, as Office of the High Commissioner for Peace, accompanying this commemoration of 17 years of the massacre on this site, and from the National Government we are trying to undertake all actions with this people, "said Antonio Quiñónez, Deputy Commissioner for Peace.

The communities asked for guarantees for the non-repetition of this type of events.

(FIN/FMB/CMC)