Indigenous protesters demolish the statue of Sebastián de Belalcázar in Popayán

Statues of Columbus 1:14 vandalized

(CNN) -

Indigenous protesters from Colombia tore down the statue of Spanish conqueror Sebastián de Belalcázar on Wednesday in the city of Popayán.

Martha Peralta, National President of the MAIS, Indigenous Movement and Social Alternative, said on Twitter that the demolition was her way of "vindicating the memory of their ancestors murdered and enslaved by the elites."

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Thus falls the statue of Sebastián de Belalcázar collapsed by the Misak indigenous people who today mobilize in Popayán.

They reinvigorate the memory of their ancestors murdered and enslaved by the elites.

Also in protest of the threats they have received.

pic.twitter.com/aoiQnwuoA6

- Martha Peralta Epieyú (@marthaperaltae) September 16, 2020

The group's Twitter account said the statue was toppled during a 5,000-strong march from the Misak, Nasa and Pijao indigenous groups.

The city's mayor, Juan Carlos López Castrillón, said he regretted the “violent actions” against the statue and called for tolerance, saying that the city rejected any violent act.

He added that he had prior knowledge of the protest "for the massacres against social leaders in Cauca and as part of the municipal government we accompanied them to make peace."

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The Colombian Ministry of Culture published a statement from Minister Carmen Inés Vásquez on Twitter condemning the violence against the Belalcázar statue.

“The Ministry of Culture regrets and rejects the violent actions against the statue of Sebastián de Belalcázar in the city of Popayán.

We have informed the mayor of this town that we will support him in the restoration of the statue.

We ask our community to protest in a specific way without damaging the cultural heritage of the country ”.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Belalcázar conquered large areas of Colombia and founded several cities in South America, including Popayán.

Sebastian de Belalcazar