El Paujil is a municipality located west of Caquetá and northeast of Florencia, in southern Colombia. It is known for having the most beautiful church in Caquetá under the name of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes.
Its area is 1,338.12 km. With an altitude of 470 meters above sea level. Its average temperature is 26°C. Its borders are: to the north with the department of Huila and the municipality of El Doncello, to the south with the municipalities of La Montañita and Cartagena del Chairá, to the east with the municipality of El Doncello, and to the west with the municipality of La Montañita.
The origin of the name “El Paujil” comes from a wild bird that was abundant in Caquetá, mainly in the area where the town that today bears its name is located.
El Paujil has 19,290 inhabitants; 9,778 of which are in the rural area. Its population is mostly settlers, or descendants of settlers, coming mainly from Huila, Tolima and, in a small percentage, from other departments.
The first year that mass was celebrated in this Municipality was in 1957, but it was not until 1959 that the Parish was created under the name of Our Lady of Mercy by the Consolata Missionaries, with Father Iván Callone as the first Parish Priest. In 1985 it was declared a Diocesan Marian Sanctuary, naming Our Lady of Mercy as its patron saint.