Carolina Montaño Cuero
Age: 25
Birthplace: Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Nurse and Mother to a Seven-Year-Old Daughter
Carolina joined the National Strike in 2021 because she opposed the tax reforms proposed by the Duque administration, disapproved of the Colombian government, and wanted to make a better country for her daughter and future generations. She wants a just country with more opportunities for youth and people from extremely poor sectors of the population that are forgotten by the state. She is an important leader from the Paso del Aguante Resistance Point and loves participating in all things related to social work.
Carolina was held in pretrial detention for 15 months in the Maximum and Medium Security Prison Complex in Jamundí.
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Luis Felipe Sánchez Arena
Age: 30
Birthplace: Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Father to a two-year-old son
Felipe is a young man who spent four years in prison after committing errors in the past. He got out of prison with plans to work and live his life with dignity. He did not want to get involved with anything that could take him back to that bitter experience in prison, but he confronted the cruel reality of Colombia. Out of prison, he found few opportunities for employment for young people and even less jobs offering second chances for people with a criminal record. This – and the desire for his son to grow up in a better country – led him to join the National Strike on April 28, 2021.
Felipe was held in pretrial detention for 16 months in the Villa Hermosa Prison Complex in Cali.
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Cristian Camilo Arroyave Bermúdez
Age: 22
Birthplace: Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
He studied through tenth grade and grew up in Comuna 6, home to Paso del Aguante—one of the strongest resistance points that took shape during the demonstrations in Cali. This is one of the most important reasons for why Cristian supported the National Strike of 2021. He, like many young people, did not have the opportunity to study or work, and that is also why he participated in the uprising.
Cristian was held in pretrial detention for 15 months in the Villa Hermosa Prison in Complex in Cali.
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Cristian Aguilar Isaza
Age: 28
Birthplace: Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Cristian studies physical education and sports at Universidad del Valle and teaches soccer. He joined the 2021 National Strike because he disagreed with the tax reform that the previous government tried to approve. He used this space to advocate for the rights and well-being of students. Aguilar is a young athlete that loves soccer and is a dedicated fan of Deportivo Cali. He is committed to his studies and everything else he does.
Cristian was held in pretrial detention for 16 months in the Villahermosa Prison Complex in Cali.
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John Michael Cardona Jaramillo
Age: 30
Birthplace: Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Father to a Nine-Year-Old Daughter
John Michael worked at a factory making shoes and occasionally helped his mother sell lunches. He joined the 2021 National Strike because he wanted a better country for his daughter so that she could grow up under better conditions than he did. He is a hard worker and responsible.
John Michael is still being held in pretrial detention in the Maximum and Medium Security Prison Complex in Jamundí.
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Cristian Andrés Cortés Ortiz
Age: 24
Birthplace: Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
He worked in construction and enjoys playing sports, as well as singing and playing guitar. He joined the 2021 National Strike because – like many people – he wanted change in Colombia and more opportunities for young people.
Cristian Andres is another victim of the false judicializations resulting from the National Strike that started on April 28, 2021. He is still being held in pretrial detention in the Villahermosa Prison in Cali.
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