Colombia

Civil War or Turf War ?

In late 2001, Jason began work on an independent project to document the conflict that has torn Colombia apart for decades.

Colombia has become synonymous with drug trafficking and violence.

Left wing rebel groups that once had strong political ideals appear to have become little more than armed gangs fighting for territory. Their sworn enemies, the right-wing Paramilitaries, battle against them with at least the tacit approval if not full support of the government. Atrocities are committed against the civilian population by all sides. Each group seeks to take control of the land and its valuable resources whether it be oil, coca or more recently in some areas, African palms. The lives of young Government soldiers, rebels, paramilitary fighters and civilians are being wasted in a war that is not improving the lives of the poor as some claim, but is rather enriching those who control the assets of each group. The gap between rich and poor remains as vast as ever. Each year thousands are killed, thousands more kidnapped and approximately 3 million are believed to have been displaced by the conflict.

Since the conflict affects few beyond the countries own borders it receives little international attention despite being one of the world’s longest running civil wars and having level of displacement that represents a humanitarian disaster.

In order to see beyond the statistics and dry analysis Jason made several visits totalling 18 months in all to the most troubled regions of the country. He lived alongside FARC rebels in their makeshift camps, stayed in towns controlled by AUC and visited paramilitary fighters in the field as well as going into the coca plantations with workers and watching them process cocaine base. Whilst accompanying the Police and Government troops the photographer was able add other perspectives to his reportage. Finally he witnessed first hand the living conditions of the displaced, many of who have been widowed or orphaned by the fighting.

In 2007 Jason was honoured with a screenings of his completed project at the both the 18th Annual International Festival of Photojournalism 'Visa Pour L'Image' in Perpignan, France and at the 11th Annual 'City of Gijon' Festival of Photojournalism in Spain. Jason also received and Award of Excellence in the prestigious 6Oth Annual Pictures of the Year International (POYi) Contest. His images have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers in the UK, Europe, the US and Latin America.

Jason's book COLOMBIA: BETWEEN THE LINES will be released at the end of May 2008. For more infomation or to order a copy please click below:

More images from this project can be seen by following this link...