In Colombia’s Catatumbo region, violence among rival drug factions has led to the deaths of 60 individuals, severely impacting local communities. The conflict primarily involves the ELN and Farc, disrupting peace negotiations and resulting in abductions and food shortages. President Gustavo Petro condemned the ELN’s actions, while the Colombian military plans to reinforce its presence in an attempt to restore order.
The violence in Colombia’s Catatumbo region has escalated, resulting in 60 fatalities, as reported by the country’s human rights office. The ongoing conflict involves rival factions fighting for dominance over the cocaine trade, with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) implicated. The recent violence disrupted a fragile truce between these groups, which were engaged in peace negotiations with the government.
The Ombudsman’s Office initially reported 40 deaths related to this violence but later confirmed the rising toll. The agency highlighted the particularly vulnerable position of community leaders and their families, many of whom faced threats of kidnapping or murder from the ELN. Reports indicate that 20 individuals, including women, had been abducted recently in the conflict.
Among the deceased are seven individuals who had signed a peace treaty and Carmelo Guerrero, a prominent advocate for local farmers. The local advocacy group, Asuncat, expressed concern for missing members Roger Quintero and Freiman Velasquez, suspected to have been taken by armed groups. Food shortages are beginning to impact local communities, and the violence has displaced thousands of residents.
The Association of Mothers of Catatumbo for Peace lamented, “Catatumbo is once again stained with blood. The bullets exchanged not only hurt those who hold the weapons, but also tear apart the dreams of our communities, break up families and sow terror in the hears of our children.”
Accusations of responsibility for this turmoil have been directed at the ELN, especially after the suspension of peace talks with the Colombian government, which President Gustavo Petro condemned, characterizing the ELN’s actions as “war crimes.” Conversely, the ELN attributed blame to Farc for allegedly instigating the conflict by targeting civilians. Following these violent events, the Colombian government announced an increase in military presence in the region to restore order.
Colombia’s Catatumbo region has been plagued by violence as various armed groups vie for control over the lucrative cocaine trade. The ELN, the largest active armed group, and the Farc, which had previously engaged in peace talks with the state post-2016, continue to be embroiled in conflict. This violent resurgence has jeopardized previous efforts for peace, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis faced by local communities affected by the struggles for power among these factions.
The ongoing conflict in Catatumbo exemplifies the complexities of Colombia’s struggle with armed groups vying for control over drug trafficking routes. The resurgence of violence, resulting in significant casualties and humanitarian distress, underscores the fragile nature of peace initiatives and the urgent need for effective intervention to protect civilians in the region.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
