“I represent the ‘nothings’ of Colombia”, said Afro-Colombian Francia Márquez, vice-presidential candidate of the left-wing coalition of the Pacto histórico (“Historical Pact”), in all the public addresses she has given since she embarked on the racing alongside Gustavo Petro.
This is a reference to the poem by Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano: “The nothings [sic] ; sons of no one, masters of nothing. The nothings [sic] : the people [sic]the denied, those who run in vain, those who kill themselves to live, the kissed, the eternal kissed […]” [Le Livre des étreintes, Lux, 2012].
Her motto, at the heart of the campaign, has resonated with many working poor women who for the first time identify with a national political project. Farmers, domestic workers, informal vendors, indigenous women and recyclers explain why they support Francia Márquez. None of the women who were interviewed participated in the campaign.
Nieves, small farmer: “I implore Francia not to disappoint us”
Nieves Fontecha, 64, gets up every day at 5 a.m. She listens to the news, makes herself a black coffee and milks her three cows before the sun even comes out. She feeds the chickens and pigs, inspects the guava plantation and returns home to have breakfast.
Nieves lives on a small property in the hamlet of Gualilo, two hours from Vélez – Santander department, north of Bogota. Like millions of Colombian peasants, she must make considerable efforts to survive.
According to the latest official figures, more than 7 million Colombian peasants live in poverty and more than 2.5 million in extreme poverty, i.e. on less than 1.90 dollars. [1,75 euro] per day.
“Governments are not listening to the voice of farmers. The roads are in very bad condition. It is very difficult to travel and sell our products. They arrive at their destination all damaged”, she explains.
For Nieves, Francia Márquez embodies change.
“She represents me: she is a woman, a head of family, she is the voice of ordinary people and the poor. The agriculture and livestock sector is one of the most neglected by the state. We are part of this invisible mass.”
Nieves insists south