Dubbed ‘El Monstruo’ by locals, the Hidrosogamoso Dam in Santander, Colombia, has sparked a wave of resistance while devastating both the environment and the lives of Indigenous communities. Operating since 2014 on the Sogamoso River, it stands as the nation’s fourth-largest hydroelectric dam. However, its creation has come at a hefty cost: the reservoir, Topocoro, swallowed up approximately 7,000 hectares of precious forest and cropland, leading to widespread deforestation and habitat loss. Over 1,000 people were forcibly relocated, disrupting the livelihoods of those dependent on fishing, mining, and agriculture along the river. The dam’s impact extended far beyond displacement; it instigated threats, disappearances, and even killings of those who opposed it. In the face of such adversity, women have emerged as leaders, fighting not only against the dam but also against violence and disease. Despite the challenges, there remains a glimmer of hope as these women continue to advocate for their rights and the preservation of their land and bodies, supported by a growing movement for environmental justice in Colombia.
