Colombian Emeralds

MUZO, BOYACA DEPARTMENT, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 2010: The road between Muzo and the mining communities.The road linking the port and the mining communities, called the 'commune matacafe 14', was for many years a deadly route. Controlled by paramilitary groups fighting for control of the emerald trade, thousands of innocent people were executed by the side of the road. Currently, the road remains the territory of the 'Pajaros', a paramilitary group that controls the area. Although the level of violence is lower than a few years ago, the road remains the scene of executions of unwelcome visitors, debtors and enemies of the armed group, at the service of their employer, known as 'El Patron' (the boss). Muzo is the heart emerald country in Colombia. The emeralds are known worldwide for their quality and purity. But behind the beauty of the spell of the emerald is a dark story of violence, war and the systematic violation of human rights that has turned this corner of Colombia into a pit of despair. Hundreds of people flock to Muzo in search of their own El Dorado, only to discover a very different reality from their dream of riches. Poverty, violence and hunger usually end up being part of the daily lives of all those that have come to these mountains following their dreams, in search of emeralds. (Photo by Alvaro Ybarra Zavala/Getty Images Reportage)