The Cuiva Indians of Colombia are now threatened with cultural and physical extermination at the hands of Colombian cattle herders. The Cuiva build no permanent houses and have no permanent settlements. They do not practice agriculture, obtaining their food from hunting and gathering. For more than 4 centuries after their discovery, little has been known about this indigenous population. Until recently the Cuiva have resisted Eurpoean influence within their territory. Although most settlers in Cuiva territory are recent immigrants, cattle herders first entered the area at the end of the 19th century, and began exterminating the Indians. Settlement has also continually taken away Cuiva hunting areas, greatly depleting food supplies. According to the laws regulating land ownership, it is sufficient for a settler to build a fence around the part of the savannah required for his cattle and to exploit this land for a few years, to acquire legal title to it. The Cuiva see as their most pressing problem at this time the protection of their right to their own land. The solution is to provide the Cuiva with the means to purchase their own land. Professional legal advice from Colombia could be arranged on how the purchase of this land can best be arranged (perhaps by setting up a board of trustees). Also, the Colombian government must be convinced of the urgent need to protect Cuiva territory from new settlers. (FF)