Voices – Diego Fernando – Soldier wounded in an ambush (1)

My name is Diego Fernando Castrillón. I’m 24 years old, married, and my wife is pregnant.  After I joined the army in 2003, I was caught in an ambush by the FARC and was shot seven times with a rifle. That incident left me quadriplegic.  In spite of that, I now can walk with the help of crutches and I just made a popular music album.

The problem in Colombia, in my opinion, is that war is a business.  If there are paramilitaries, guerrillas and drug traffickers, the war will never end.  That’s why Plan Colombia exists, to supply money for arms and helicopters and everything the army needs.  Things could calm down, but I don’t think they willend that easily.

It was the war that brought me to where I am today.  The accident changed many things inside me and in my life. I used to be very rude, and now I like to help people.  If someone asks me for a favor, I do it with all my heart.  What happened to me gave me a second chance to live, because nobody survives seven rifle shots.  God must have something very special in store for me.

*Excerpts from the book

“Voices, Stories of Violence and hope in Colombia” 2009

Do you want to read the book? Read it below!