The image of a sergeant being dragged by the indigenous people of La Torre, in Toribío, has sparked outrage all over the country and illustrates just how dire the situation has become in Cauca, where the indigenous Nasa people insist on defying the government and driving the military away.

Until a week ago, a military base with at least 100 men was operating on the mountain, just two hours from the town of Toribío, but tribesmen destroyed the camp.