The Smile of the River – Dariany Acosta

Black and white photo of a young girl and a dog swimming in the Patía River, symbolizing innocence and resilience in Colombian conflict zones

The Patía River, which runs through part of the Nariño mountain range, is an important natural resource. However, its beautiful surroundings hide a history of violence in which thousands of people who lost their lives were thrown into its waters by armed groups present in the region.

Although there has been progress, the region still has to overcome several challenges, such as delays in effectively implementing the peace agreement, the exploitation of natural resources, and the presence of armed organizations. But as the photo highlights, happiness and innocence is still possible on the the Patía River.