Human rights activism is often associated with international organisations that try to effect change in regional conflicts around the globe. In Barrancabermeja, Colombia, argues Luis van Isschot, the struggle for rights has emerged more organically and locally, out of a long history of civil and social organising. He offers insight into the lives of home-grown activists in a conflict zone, against the backdrop of major historical changes.

Luis van Isschot is an assistant professor of the history of modern Latin America at the University of Toronto. He has worked and conducted research in Latin America, Canada, the United States, and the Great Lakes region of Africa. From 1995 to 2005, he worked for Peace Brigades International (PBI), which provides unarmed protective accompaniment to human rights and social activists in conflict areas.