On July 9, 2025, the Second Administrative Oral Court of Cali declared the Colombian State - Ministry of Defense - National Police responsible for the injuries and damage caused to Giovanny García Garrido and his family during the National Strike demonstrations in 2021. Giovanny was blinded in one eye after being hit by a police-fired projectile that struck him in the face and destroyed his left eye.
Giovanny, his family, Nomadesc, and the victims’ associations Memoria Viva Colombia (MEVICO) and Movimiento en Resistencia contra Agresiones Oculares del ESMAD (MOCAO) made a strategic decision to work together to pursue justice and take this case of police violence to court.
Giovanny wasn’t expecting justice, but pursued his legal case with the aim of creating a legal framework for non-repetition. With this recent court decision, Giovanny, his family, and others affected by state violence in Colombia now see a pathway to justice and reparation.
However, despite the fact that the Justice has acknowledged the harm caused by the Mobile Anti-riot Police Squad (ESMAD), there have not been any criminal sentences that hold accountable the police officer involved, the chief police officers, or other officials who directed the sustained attack on protestors at the time.
More than 100 people lost an eye as a result of the actions of the ESMAD during the National Strike in 2021.
Nomadesc has issued a statement in response to the verdict:
Short video that tells Giovanny’s story, created in 2022, is posted HERE with English subtitles.