Pacific Coast History

History

By Richard McColl

The region of Chocó stands apart in history from that known about Narino, Cauca and Valle del Cauca.

Chocó, given its distance from Bogota, hostile environment for travelers and its poor infrastructure, has remained a relatively unexplored region inhabited largely by Embera Indian communities and former African slaves. Up until recently their history has been one of indifference, but struggles between the government and guerrilla groups have turned this region into the front lines of the battle.

Narino, Valle del Cauca and Cauca have an altogether different history. First home to hunter gatherers—relics and artifacts have been found in and around Cali—before being used as a thoroughfare by the Spaniards en route to Quito, these departments have seen much of Colombia’s troubles throughout history. Cauca in particular suffered in the Colombian Civil War of 1860–62. In the 1980s the city of Cali was recognized for its all-powerful cartel and the drug wars that threatened to consume its society. Nowadays trouble lingers—major ports such as Buenaventura and Tumaco are coveted by both the Government and the guerrillas, and fighting can break out here with regularity.