Escalating Violence in Colombia’s Catatumbo Region Claims 60 Lives
Violence in Catatumbo, Colombia, has resulted in 60 deaths as rival factions ELN and Farc vie for control of the drug trade. Community leaders face threats, with many kidnapped. The conflict highlights ongoing humanitarian issues, prompting the government to send troops to restore order amidst escalating violence.
Recent violence in Colombia’s Catatumbo region has escalated the death toll to 60, as reported by the country’s human rights office. This surge in violence stems from clashes between two rival factions competing for dominance in the cocaine trade along the Venezuelan border. The National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), despite previously engaging in peace negotiations, are at the center of this conflict.
The Ombudsman’s Office, a government organization responsible for protecting human and civil rights, indicated that prior reports cited 40 fatalities. This violence has revived tensions between the guerrilla groups, with an increasing number of citizens, including community leaders, facing serious threats to their safety. Disturbingly, 20 individuals have reportedly been kidnapped, with a significant number being women.
Among the reported fatalities, seven signatories of the peace treaty and Carmelo Guerrero, head of the Association for Peasant Unity in Catatumbo (Asuncat), were identified. The organization expressed concerns over disappearing members, suspecting abduction by armed factions. This violence has also led to food scarcity in local communities, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian situation.
The Association of Mothers of Catatumbo for Peace lamented the violence, stating that the gunfire harms not just those involved but also devastates families and instills fear in children. The Ombudsman’s Office attributed the latest unrest mainly to the ELN, which had been negotiating a peace agreement with the government, recently halted due to ongoing violence.
President Gustavo Petro condemned the ELN for committing “war crimes” and criticized their lack of commitment to peace. Conversely, the ELN has accused Farc of reigniting conflict by attacking civilians. The Colombian army has announced plans to deploy additional troops to the region to restore stability.
The Catatumbo region, known for its persistent violence over cocaine trafficking, has been a long-standing area of conflict among various armed groups in Colombia. The ELN, Colombia’s largest remaining armed faction, has been involved in semi-regular peace negotiations with the government, whereas the Farc, which previously operated as a major rebel group, signed a peace agreement in 2016. Both groups are vying for territorial control and dominance in the drug trade, leading to renewed violence and risks facing local populations.
The recent surge in violence in Colombia’s Catatumbo region highlights the ongoing challenges of drug trafficking and armed conflict. With rising casualties and growing humanitarian concerns, including food shortages and threats to local leaders, the situation remains critical. Efforts by the Colombian government to restore peace and stability are underway but face significant obstacles from competing armed factions, underlining the complexity of Colombia’s sociopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
