In a remarkable story of grief, justice and forgiveness, Colombian mother Amparo found the courage in 2023 to meet face to face with Jaime Trujillo, one of the soldiers involved in the killing of her son, Jhon Jarvi.
Amparo and her sister, Esneda, have been campaigning for justice for Jhon Jarvi, who was killed by soldiers in 2005 during Colombia’s notorious “False Positives” scandal.
According to a state-sponsored peace commission, more than 6,400 Colombian civilians were kidnapped and killed by soldiers over a period spanning several decades. The victims were allegedly presented by military commanders as anti-government rebels in order to inflate combat statistics.
During an official tribunal, Amparo heard Trujillo explain that he had carried out orders under threat of death. Hearing his testimony became an important moment for Amparo and her sister as they confronted the circumstances surrounding Jhon Jarvi’s death.
Despite the pain and years of grief, the sisters eventually found the strength to forgive Trujillo, viewing forgiveness as part of their effort to contribute to peace in Colombia.
“I carried the burden of hatred. But what’s the point of carrying all that hate if we want to help build peace in this country,” Amparo said.
