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 it is estimated that thousands of people lost their lives and were thrown into its waters by armed groups present in the region, according to the local community and authorities.

Although there has been progress, the Patía still has to overcome several challenges, such as the presence of recent armed organizations, the exploitation of natural resources and the importance of effectively implementing peace agreements.

In October 2020, an image was captured of two beings transmitting happiness and innocence, while resting on turbulent waters where silenced voices resonate.