The 23-year-old female tourist from London was attacked and gang-raped in a remote desert area in Colombia by local tribesmen after having a row with her travelling companions and setting off on her own.
Colombia / NationalTurk – She told local police she was sexually assaulted by three Wayuu tribesmen after getting lost and stopping at their village to ask for help.
But when officers tried to arrest the men they were refused entry to the settlement.
Wayuu tribespeople have a certain amount of independence in Colombia, guaranteed by the country’s constitution.
The woman had been travelling with five American friends near Cabo de la Vela, a village in the Guajira peninsula on Colombia’s north coast.
The rape victim had only arrived in the area the previous day
Some Wayuu leaders claimed there was doubt over whether the three men had raped the tourist.
Nancy Gomez, daughter of one leader, says: “It would be wrong to judge someone without having full knowledge.
“There were five (tourists) travelling in a van. They were drinking and even making threats.”
In Wayuu custom, crimes are usually punished through payment of compensation ordered by a tribal judge.
Cabo de la Vela, on the South American country’s Caribbean coast, is described as a desert paradise and is reached by a two-hour drive along dirt tracks.
Colombia has been trying to shake off its violent image associated with guerrilla war and murderous drug gangs who rape young tourist girls gang-rape style.
Travel expert Evelyn Hannon said women travelling alone should stick to busy areas, hide valuables and wear clothes that don’t stand out.
[adrotate banner=”42″]
