Australian Eva Buzo swam for more than ten hours in the Colombian Pacific to protest the violence in Buenaventura.

This Saturday, June 21, Australian swimmer Eva Buzo swam for more than ten hours between Juanchaco and the Buenaventura boardwalk, Colombia's main port. According to the Valle del Cauca governor's office, her feat, dubbed "a swim for resilience," was an opportunity to show the world another side of this region.

Buzo did this act in protest of the violence experienced in this southwestern region of the country. " I'm speechless; that swim was incredible; it taught me so much about resilience ," Buzo said after completing the swim.

For her part, the Secretary of Rural Development, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Ángela Reyes, emphasized that this symbolic act represents the resilience of communities in the face of the escalating armed conflict in this area . "It invites us to reflect on the inspiration and courage we must have to continue working for a territory full of opportunities, with unparalleled cultural, culinary, and ecotourism richness," she added.

Buzo's feat was even recognized by former Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo, who mentioned on his X.com account that this act brings visibility to an area that "has been stigmatized by violence." He emphasized: "This sporting feat embodies the dignity, resilience, and leadership that characterize this region of Colombia."

In May, the Ombudsman's Office warned of a "serious humanitarian situation in Buenaventura," noting that so far this year there have been 40 mass confinements, forced displacements , targeted killings, disappearances, and recruitment of children and adolescents.

"I know Buenaventura has been through a lot, experienced a lot, and suffered a lot over the years, but what I saw here was an extraordinary, joyful, resilient, and peace-loving group of people, who filled my heart with joy," the athlete stated. She also expressed her support for whoever decides to make the swim. "It's my greatest wish to see someone from Buenaventura do this swim next. And I promise I'll come back to support whoever decides to do it. I heard that there were a lot of young women watching me and seeing themselves as athletes, moving forward in their lives, finding the sport they love and taking it on to become champions," Buzo added.

This event, part of an initiative organized by social organizations, the Catholic Church, and the Open Society Foundations network, seeks to amplify the voices of young social leaders in Buenaventura.

"Over time, Buenaventura and Colombia have struggled with violence and crime, but we are always able to overcome these situations. This event is an opportunity to continue meeting through resilience ," said community leader Leonard Rentería.

For his part, Jhon Jaime Cortés, of the Vive Arte social collective, stated that "Eva Buzo's achievement demonstrates that strength, resilience, practice, and study lead us to great things." "Buenaventura and Colombia deserve great things; young people will have an inspirational force to continue empowering themselves and contribute to creating impactful solutions that generate peace and true change," Cortés added.

Last year, the diver became the first woman to complete the 35-hour swim across the 92 kilometers separating Italy and Albania.