Talking About Colombia

The Miraculous Medal

In Quindio department, in the hamlet of El Cedral, almost seven kilometers from Génova, on the highest peak, there stands a chapel. Its walls are in shades of rose, cream, and white. The chapel is dedicated to the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal.

Government soldiers and locals come here to show their devotion to the blessed virgin. Some walk as much as five or six hours to attend mass.

The spot where the chapel now stands was once the stables of FARC leader, Ciro Gómez Rayo, alias ‘Enrique Zúñiga’ who led the FARC’s 50th Front.

On the spot where a statue of the virgin now presides was where Zúñiga once scheduled locals to pay him extortions, in the forms of money, information, and supplies.

The land surrounding the chapel formed part of the FARC leader’s farm, “La Laguna,” where he retreated to rest. He was killed in combat in 2010.

In 2012, the army regained control of the area, and the chapel was built. It took nearly a year to complete and it was inaugurated in April 2014.