Capítulo 2: Exilio. La Colombia fuera de Colombia.

Exile and Its Impact on Lives

Personal Experiences of Violence and Loss

• The speaker recounts their father's persecution by the army and paramilitaries, leading to the assassination of both parents in 1993. This traumatic event occurred in front of the speaker's sister, who was only eight years old.

• Following the murder of their parents, two uncles and an older brother were also killed. The speaker describes this period as a journey without return, emphasizing the irreversible nature of exile.

Reflections on Exile

• The speaker quotes Mario Benedetti, stating that "exile makes your country fit into a suitcase," highlighting how exiles carry their homeland with them. They express nostalgia through music while navigating life in New York.

• Transitioning from being a civil engineer to cleaning jobs in Italy feels like starting anew for the speaker. They reflect on past traumas including violence against colleagues during their time as a nurse in Colombia.

Adaptation and Resilience

• Despite challenges such as adapting to cold weather and language barriers, the speaker finds comfort in kindness from locals. They share stories about Colombia with their children but feel unprepared for them to visit.

Human Rights Violations Related to Exile

• The speaker discusses how exile is an invisible violation of human rights not recognized under Colombian law, which acknowledges various forms of violence but omits exile itself.