A Colombian family built a runway for Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) in a ranch they own in the nortwestern department of Antioquia, according to local media.

The family, made up by Oscar Orozco, his wife Beatriz and his four children, all of them members of the "Raelian" faith, explained that its purpose is to offer hospitality to any extraterrestrials willing to visit them.

The runway is a white, circular structure built near the house occupied by these adepts of the Raelian Movement, founded by Claude Vorilhon, who claims to have been contacted by a UFO in 1973 and later assumed the name "Rael".

In statements to the El Tiempo newspaper, Orozco said that he designed the runway himself, directed the pouring of cement and raised the circular adobe structure, which measures 40 meters in diameter. He admitted having some problems with his neighbors, not only on account of his beliefs, but because the family is wont to wander naked around their property. "They said they were going to lynch us and on two occasions called the authorities on me for scandal, but in the end, the scandal was taking place within our own property," notes Orozco.

He adds that the landing center is still provisional, because the real UFO landing strip should be 150 meters in diameter, according to the measurements of the so called "temple of Ezekiel."

This Raelian family hopes that the Colombian goverment will grant it the extra-territorial nature held by foreign embassies and that it will relocated the Jose Maria Cordova airport, which serves the city of Medellin, in order to avoid accidents.

According to Raelian belief, humanity was created by aliens 25 million years ago when they visited earth and set off evolution by means of DNA. The followers of "Rael" are atheists and science is their only religion. They believe in accepting responsibility for their own actions, believe in non-violence, profess absolute respect for human life and sexual tolerance.

(translation (c) 2006. Scott Corrales, Institute of Hispanic Ufology. Special thanks to Virgilio Sanchez Ocejo, Miami UFO Center)

Source & References:

NOTIMEX; El Universal (Bogota)

Date: Sunday, July 30, 2006