Recent attacks in Colombia’s Catatumbo region have claimed 60 lives, according to the country’s human rights office.
Rival groups compete for control of cocaine trade
For years, factions have battled for dominance in the cocaine trade near the Venezuelan border. The latest violence involves the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc). Farc signed a peace deal with the government in 2016.
These attacks shattered a truce between the two guerrilla groups. Both had been in peace talks with the Colombian government.
The Ombudsman’s Office initially reported 40 deaths but raised the figure to 60. It also warned that community leaders and their families face high risks of kidnapping or murder by the ELN. Armed groups have abducted 20 people recently, half of them women.
Displacement and food shortages devastate Catatumbo
The violence has killed seven peace deal signatories and Carmelo Guerrero, who led the Association for Peasant Unity in Catatumbo (Asuncat). On social media, Asuncat said two board members, Roger Quintero and Freiman Velasquez, disappeared on Thursday. The group suspects armed factions abducted them.
Food shortages have hit some communities, worsening the situation. Thousands have fled their homes to escape the violence. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities, are suffering the most.
The Association of Mothers of Catatumbo for Peace highlighted the human toll of the fighting. They stated, “The exchange of gunfire shatters the dreams of our communities, tears families apart, and spreads fear among our children.”
Government responds to the crisis
The Ombudsman’s Office attributed the violence to the ELN, which led to the suspension of peace talks. President Gustavo Petro accused the ELN of war crimes and said they lack a genuine desire for peace.
The ELN blamed Farc for starting the conflict by targeting civilians. Farc has not commented on the accusation.
In response, the Colombian army deployed additional troops to Catatumbo to restore peace.
